The Easiest Way to Become a Homeowner (Even with Student Loans) | Real Life Planning Podcast Episode 81
Real Estate CoachingIn Episode 81 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®, MBA,talks about how house hacking helped her become a homeowner, landlord, and wealth builder straight out of college — even with student loans. She shares five smart and practical ways to house hack, what makes a property ideal, and how to use this strategy to build equity while keeping life affordable.
"House hacking isn’t just about saving money—it’s about building freedom, ownership, and future options." — Vekevia Tillman-Jones
This week on Real Life Planning Podcast:
| 💡 | What is house hacking and how did it help Vekevia become a homeowner after college? [00:01:12] |
| 💡 | What are the five types of house hacks — and which one fits your lifestyle? [00:05:40] |
| 💡 | What features make a property ideal for house hacking? [00:11:39] |
| 💡 | What red flags should you check with zoning, HOAs, and privacy concerns? [00:13:02] |
| 💡 | How does house hacking create lasting wealth even when life is “lifeing”? [00:14:01] |
Takeaway Quotes:
""I didn’t have a trust fund. I had student loans. But I also had a strategy—and that made all the difference.” –Vekevia Tillman-Jones
"Your first home doesn’t have to be your dream home. It can be your launchpad." — Vekevia Tillman-Jones
Connect with Real Life Planning:
About the Real Life Planning Podcast
Hosts Cynthia Meyer and Vekevia Tillman-Jones explore practical steps for real estate investors to build financial freedom and make working for someone else optional.
If you like this video podcast, consider joining Real Life Planning’s Question of the Week where our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERs™ and rental property business owners answer the most common questions about real estate financial planning direct to your inbox.
This blog is for general financial education purposes. Information contained in this blog should not be construed as financial, tax, real estate, legal, or investment advice. For educational purposes, blog posts may contain links to other websites which are not under the control or and are not maintained by Real Life Planning. Real Life Planning has provided those links for your convenience but does not necessarily endorse all the material on those sites. Please consult your financial, real estate, legal, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation.