Karen McCauley Real Estate Agent

06/23/2026

Thinking about house hacking? Here's what you need to know before you dive in. ⁣
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Zoning and local regulations are non-negotiable. ADU legality, short-term rental rules, and multi-family zoning vary dramatically by city and neighborhood. What's allowed three blocks away may not be allowed on your property. Unpermitted units create liability headaches that outlast the savings. Do things by the book from the start. ⁣
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Be honest about lifestyle fit. Sharing a property with tenants — whether strangers or family — requires a certain temperament and a willingness to handle uncomfortable conversations. Clear boundaries and realistic expectations matter. ⁣
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And always run conservative numbers. If the math works with vacancy and maintenance built in, you're solid. If it only works at 100% occupancy, it's a risk. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://karenmccauley.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/18/2026

Want to know the original house hack? Buy a duplex, triplex, or small multi-family. Live in one unit. Rent out the others. It's been working for decades — and it still does in 2026. ⁣
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FHA loans allow you to buy properties with up to 4 units with as little as 3.5% down, as long as you live in one unit. Veterans can use a VA loan with zero down. And Freddie Mac's Home Possible program allows qualified buyers to put down just 3%. ⁣
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The financing options are more accessible than most buyers realize. For those willing to share a property line with their tenants, the income potential is typically higher than an ADU, and the strategy is time-tested. If you're serious about house hacking, don't overlook the classic approach. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://karenmccauley.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/18/2026

06/16/2026

Multi-generational home buying hit a record high in 2024. 14% of all home purchases were multi-generational. Gen X buyers led the way at 19%. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ⁣
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This isn't a trend. It's a structural shift. ⁣
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Among multi-generational buyers, 41% said the primary reason was to care for or support aging parents — the highest share since tracking began in 2015. Another 23% wanted to spend more time with their parents. For Gen X especially, who are often supporting both aging parents and adult children, a home designed to accommodate multiple generations solves several problems at once: caretaking, privacy, and cost. ⁣
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House hacking doesn't always mean renting to strangers. Sometimes it means sharing a home — and the costs — with the people who matter most. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://karenmccauley.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/11/2026

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become the gold standard for house hacking in 2026 — and there's a reason why. 🏠 ⁣
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As of March 2026, Fannie Mae allows lenders to count projected ADU rental income toward your mortgage qualification — up to 30% of your total qualifying income. That means the income potential of an ADU can help you qualify for a home you otherwise couldn't afford. ⁣
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ADUs include: ⁣
🔹 Detached backyard cottages ⁣
🔹 Converted garages ⁣
🔹 Basement suites with separate entrances ⁣
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They're increasingly legal, financially supported, and proven in the rental market. If affordability is your biggest barrier to homeownership, an ADU-eligible property might be the solution. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://karenmccauley.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/09/2026

House hacking isn't about living for free — it's about making homeownership possible when it otherwise wouldn't be. In 2026, the strategy is less about eliminating a mortgage payment and more about engineering one you can actually afford. 🏡 ⁣
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Here's what's working: ⁣
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✅ ADUs (accessory dwelling units) — Fannie Mae now lets buyers count projected ADU rental income toward mortgage qualification, up to 30% of total qualifying income ⁣
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✅ Multi-generational homes — 14% of all home purchases in the last year were multi-generational, with Gen X leading at 19% ⁣
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✅ Small multi-family properties — FHA loans allow up to 4 units with just 3.5% down if you live in one ⁣
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✅ Realistic expectations — If rental income cuts your $3,800 payment down to $2,200, that's a win ⁣
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The math has to work. The zoning has to be legal. And the lifestyle has to fit. But for the right buyer, house hacking can turn a closed door into an open one. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://karenmccauley.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

05/29/2026

Just reduced $15k to $195k!!!
940 Central Ave, #4, FWB
Call today!!
https://karenmccauley.myrealtyonegroup.com/single-family/ecn/1001565/940-central-avenue-4-fort-walton-beach-fl-32547

05/19/2026

🛌 4 🛀 3 🚘 2
📍 3946 Red Deer Circle, Panama City, FL, 32404

My latest sale on .
FL SL3162948
https://rma.reviews/v26ivz0bujpn
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05/19/2026

So blessed to be able to work with such amazing people on a daily basis!
Thank you Jana and Michael!!
My latest review in Panama City.
FL SL3162948
https://rma.reviews/9iob64ddb5ox
..

05/18/2026

21C Wright Pkwy, FWB, FL $215k
NEW ROOF to be installed prior to closing AND seller will give a $2000 credit at closing for a new appliance package!!!
It's a great deal! Call your favorite agent today!!!!
Offered by Realty ONE Group Emerald Coast
Karen McCauley
850-830-0411