HOUSE HACKING IN MASSACHUSETTS
Thinking about a multifamily? Let your tenants pay MOST OF YOUR MORTGAGE.
I'm Brennan Doherty, a Massachusetts real estate agent and former mortgage underwriter who's house hacked himself. I help buyers understand their options, run the numbers on 2-4 family homes, and find properties that actually make sense.
Prefer to text or call? 978-981-3427
The Hive Real Estate · Serving Middlesex & Worcester Counties
WHAT'S INSIDE (24 PAGES)
The math that makes it work. A sample Worcester triplex worked line by line: about $23K to close, two tenants paying $3,200 a month, and roughly $411 a month out of pocket to live there.
How to qualify. FHA, conventional, and VA side by side, 2026 loan limits for Worcester and Middlesex, and how up to 75% of the rent can count toward your income.
How to judge a deal fast. The key numbers I check on every 2-4 family, plus what to look for and avoid in Massachusetts multifamilies.
Massachusetts landlord rules. Security deposits, lead paint, screening, and leases, so you don't learn them the expensive way.
What comes next. Moving out after a year, refinancing, and using the first property to buy the second.
FREE GUIDE · 2026-2027 EDITION
Your first step toward house hacking
Most buyers assume a multifamily is out of reach. With owner-occupant financing, a 2-4 family can be bought with as little as 3.5% down, and your tenants' rent can cover a big share of the mortgage. This free guide shows how it works in Massachusetts, with the numbers.
More than just a real estate agent
I'VE BEEN IN YOUR SHOES
A short intro video is on the way. Until then, send me a text and I'll tell you the story myself.
I'VE HOUSE HACKED MYSELF
I bought a three-family in Fitchburg, lived in one unit, and rented out the other two. I handled the financing, the tenants, and the day-to-day management myself, so I know what this actually looks like after closing.
I UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS
I spent about six years in mortgage underwriting, then worked in financial advising. I can help you think through loan options, rental income, expenses, and how a purchase fits your bigger financial picture.
I INVEST IN AND DEVELOP PROPERTY
I'm building three single-family homes through my own small development company. That habit carries over: I look past the listing photos at condition, likely repair costs, and whether the numbers hold up.
From curious to closing
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FIGURE OUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE
We'll talk through your goals, budget, and financing options, and what kind of property could realistically make sense for you.
FIND AND EVALUATE OPPORTUNITIES
I'll help you search for 2-4 family properties and look hard at the numbers: potential rental income, expenses, condition, and financing considerations.
MAKE A CONFIDENT DECISION
When the right property comes along, I'll guide you through the offer, inspections, negotiation, and closing, and tell you plainly if a deal doesn't add up.
Let's talk house hacking
I WANT TO HOUSE HACK
Whether you're renting now or already own, I'm happy to talk through what a 2-4 family could look like for you: the financing, the numbers, and the trade-offs. No pressure. A quick text or email is the easiest way to start.
WHAT'S MY HOME WORTH?
Curious what your property could sell for? Let's take a look at the local market and discuss what your home might be worth.