Suleyka Bolaos and her partner, Jeff White, achieved the remarkable feat of retiring in their early 30s, a dream many aspire to but few accomplish. Their journey toward financial independence is rooted in a clear, defined goal and a strategic approach that revolutionized their lives. This real estate success story is particularly inspiring for those wondering if early retirement is feasible in today's economy.

The couple set a bold target of retiring in just ten years. They devised a straightforward plan: to acquire one rental property each year. Central to their strategy was a concept known as 'house hacking.' By renting out portions of the properties they lived in, they were able to significantly reduce their housing expenses, which allowed them to funnel more money into savings and investments.

All we wanted was one deal a year it wasn't like we were looking for 10 so it was easy, White remarked. It was like, OK, were ready to go again. Heres a handful of deals. Lets go find the one that works best for us. This methodical approach proved effective: they executed their first house hack in 2017 and adhered to their annual property acquisition goal. By the year 2023, the rental income generated from their growing portfolio eclipsed their salaries, which enabled them to retire ahead of schedule.

Prior to their early retirement, White spent a considerable portion of his 17-year career in corporate finance and accounting. Meanwhile, Bolaos excelled in sales and even established her own notary business. Now, in their early retirement, they have embraced a lifestyle filled with exploration, taking monthly trips to various destinations, and sharing their experiences through their YouTube channel, aptly named 'PTO for Life.'

We just did it slowly and steadily, always focusing on finding the right deal, White explained. In just 6.5 years, we managed to reach our goal. Without their real estate investments, they believe they might have been working for an additional 30 to 40 years. Despite earning a reasonable income in their careers, they recognized that it would not have been sufficient to retire comfortably relying solely on a traditional stock portfolio.

While house hacking can provide a lucrative path to financial freedom, it also presents unique challenges. For instance, the couple has moved homes annually since they began their real estate journey. This frequent relocation required significant effort, including renovations on many properties, some of which were in dire need of repair. Their first property, a fixer-upper fourplex, was riddled with issues like mold and pest infestations. White described the renovation process as akin to taking on a second full-time job.

Despite the hurdles, house hacking has proven to be a viable method for achieving financial independence in less than a decade. As of 2025, White and Bolaos reside in their eighth house hack and are actively seeking to acquire their ninth property, with aspirations to reach a total of ten by 2026. Business Insider has verified their claims by reviewing settlement statements for the properties they own.

A crucial component of their strategy was utilizing owner-occupied financing, which allows for more favorable loan terms, including lower down payments and interest rates. This financing strategy enables buyers to secure loans with as little as a 5% down payment. In contrast, investment property loans typically require a minimum down payment of 20%, as lenders view them as riskier.

White and Bolaos cleverly navigated this financing landscape by living in the properties they purchased, allowing them to bypass the higher down payment requirements. Under owner-occupied financing regulations, buyers must reside in the property for at least 12 months, which was a part of their established routine. They would buy and move into a home, rent out additional spaces, and upon finding a new property after a year, continue this cycle. When it was time to move out, they filled the unit they occupied with new tenants, thereby enhancing their cash flow and transitioning the property from primary residence to investment.

White, who previously worked in finance, discovered the concept of house hacking through a book titled 'Build a Rental Property Empire.' This valuable resource provided him with essential insights and strategies that would guide their investment decisions.

By consistently financing each property with a mere 5% down payment, White and Bolaos were able to lower their entry costs significantly, facilitating steady growth in their real estate portfolio. The difference between a 5% and a 20% down payment can be staggering; for example, on a $300,000 home, a 5% down payment amounts to $15,000, whereas a 20% down payment totals $60,000.

Another avenue for aspiring investors to enter the real estate market with minimal initial capital is through FHA loans. These government-backed mortgages are designed to assist low- to moderate-income families and first-time homebuyers in securing a home with less stringent borrowing requirements than conventional loans. FHA loans typically require a 3.5% down payment alongside a credit score of 580 or higher.

While there are limitationssuch as restrictions on how much can be borrowed, the obligation to purchase a primary residence, and the allowance for only one FHA loan at a timethese loans present a lower-cost option for newcomers looking to break into the market.

Karina Mejia, a Boston-based investor, utilized an FHA loan to purchase her first property at just 22 years old. In a high-cost market, a low down payment was crucial for her. She recounted how her first property was a $560,000 three-family home acquired in 2019, in which her 3.5% down payment was approximately $20,000. Had she been required to pay 20%, she would have needed around $112,000.

Mejia moved into one of the units and rented out the remaining two, allowing the rent to nearly cover her entire mortgage payment. This financial strategy enabled her to save enough to purchase her second property the following year.

Various types of FHA loans exist, ranging from standard mortgages for primary residences to FHA 203(k) loans, which are designed for home improvement expenses. Ludomir Wanot, a Seattle-based investor, leveraged an FHA 203(k) loan to finance his first property, a single-family fixer-upper priced at $138,000. By rolling the renovation costs into the loanadding an additional $30,000he was only required to put down about $10,000.

Wanat emphasized the misconception that you must save tens of thousands of dollars and put down 20% to buy a property, pointing out, Thats not the case whatsoever. His experience, along with those of Bolaos and White, illustrates the transformative potential of innovative financing strategies in the realm of real estate investment.