Which is better for your first house hack: a duplex or renting rooms? It depends, but if you want more privacy and a cleaner long-term setup, a duplex is often the stronger first move. With a duplex, you live in one unit and rent out the other, which gives you income while still protecting your own space. With renting rooms, the numbers can work too, but you need to be comfortable sharing common areas and living more closely with other people. The other important piece is this: start with the end in mind. Before you buy, think about your exit strategy and which setup will be easier to rent out later. Your first house hack should fit your numbers, lifestyle, and long-term plan. π Get your Buyer Readiness Score: https://shiftrich.com/scorecard