Written by:
Joanne Worobec – Loan Advisor – (636) 256-5705
Meet Austin M., a young truck driver with big dreams. While most people see highways as endless stretches of asphalt, Austin saw an opportunity to build his future—one property at a time. His first stop on this real estate journey? A charming four-unit property in St. Louis, perfect for house hacking.
House hacking is like turning your home into a money-making machine without needing to become a full-time landlord. Imagine this: you buy a property with multiple units, live in one, and rent out the others. The rent you collect from your tenants helps cover your mortgage and sometimes even makes a profit. It’s a savvy strategy for building wealth while still having a place to call your own. It’s all about making your property work for you so you can enjoy the benefits of homeownership without feeling like you’re carrying the whole financial load on your own.
Zoning Shenanigans: The Plot Thickens
Since he was buying a multi-unit property he planned to live in, Austin and I had mapped out a route that included a Conventional loan with just a 5% down payment—ideal for a guy saving every penny while living on the road. Everything was cruising along just fine until we got the appraisal back. It revealed a detour we hadn’t expected: the property had been rezoned from four units to two.
Suddenly, Austin’s dream property was in danger of becoming a two-unit disappointment. Without a special exception, if the building ever faced major repairs, only a two-unit could be rebuilt. We needed a zoning miracle to keep Austin’s house-hacking plans on track.
Fast and Furious: St. Louis Edition
Now, if you know anything about city bureaucracy, you know it can be slower than a Sunday drive. We braced for a long, drawn-out process to get the zoning committee’s necessary “grandfathering” statement. But then, the unexpected happened. The seller took the wheel, sped through the red tape, and got the zoning committee to issue the statement immediately. In the world of real estate, this was like hitting the lottery. In St. Louis, it was practically unheard of.
The Day of Closing: Trucker Style
With the zoning issues sorted, it was time to close the deal. But Austin wasn’t your average homebuyer who could pop into the office. He was hauling freight across state lines. To make it to the closing table, he had to reroute his entire trucking schedule, maneuvering his 18-wheeler near St. Louis. We considered bringing in a mobile notary to him for convenience, but in the end, Austin managed to make it work himself. Imagine coordinating a real estate closing like a pit stop at a NASCAR race!
Celebrating with a Sweet St. Louis Tradition
After navigating traffic, paperwork, and more than a few cups of coffee, we finally made it to closing day. With the keys in hand and the property officially his, there was only one thing left to do: celebrate. In St. Louis, that meant a trip to Ted Drewes, the legendary custard spot.
There we were, two unlikely friends—one mortgage officer and one trucker—enjoying frozen custard and laughing about zoning surprises, truck routes, and the quirks of the real estate world. It was the kind of moment that makes you realize that no matter the twists and turns, the destination is always worth it.
On the Road Again
With his first property under his belt, Austin is back on the road, hauling freight and ready to build his real estate portfolio one mile at a time. A professional manages his property while he’s out on the road and his tenants are settling into their new homes. So, when navigating the open road, he’s also saving up for his next big real estate adventure—aiming to repeat the process and add another property to his growing portfolio in a year or two.
Austin’s journey is a testament to the idea that where there’s a will (and a little custard), there’s a way. Whether you’re a truck driver, a first-time homebuyer, or someone who thinks zoning laws are as clear as mud, remember there’s always a path forward. And if you’re lucky, it comes with a side of Ted Drewes custard.
Got a Dream? Let’s Make It Happen!
Thinking about your own real estate adventure? Let’s chat! I can’t promise there will always be custard, but I can guarantee a journey worth taking. And who knows? Maybe we’ll have a story just as sweet.
