Written by Jailyn | September 2025 | Real Estate - 7 min read
House hacking is often painted as the dream. Live for free or close to it, let tenants cover the mortgage, and build wealth while you sleep. But what they do not always tell you is that unexpected repairs can hit like a storm, and when they do, you feel it in your pockets.
Recently, I had to learn this lesson the hard way.
I live in the basement unit of my property, and one day I noticed water pooling in my bathroom. It was not a small drip. Real damage was happening. My first reaction was not panic. It was problem solving. I called my plumber, the one I have trusted and worked with for over a year.
He came out but could not figure out where the water was coming from. Instead, he suggested I call a restoration company that specializes in tracking leaks. At that point, I thought to myself, okay, let us do what needs to be done.
The restoration team initially thought it was grout failure. But as they cut into the walls and inspected further, it became clear that most of the water had come from the toilet.
This is where things became expensive. By the time everything was finished, including restoration, mold replacement, and repairs, the bill looked like this:
Restoration: $1,720.10 + $2,060.00 + $1,030.00 + $433.45
Plumbing: $2,356.00
Grand Total: $7,599.55
Every single penny came out of my pocket. I did not have an emergency fund set aside for something like this, so I had to put it on credit cards. That added to my debt, which is never fun to carry. But in that moment, I reminded myself that God is good, and I am grateful I even had the ability to get it done.
Looking back, there are a few things I learned that I want to share.
Get multiple opinions. If someone is not sure, believe them. Take their word for it, but also call someone else. I probably could have saved money if I had gotten more than one set of eyes on the problem.
Have an emergency fund. Unexpected repairs are not an if, they are a when. As a landlord and house hacker, you have to prepare for the big stuff, not just the little things.
Budget for the hidden costs. Everyone loves to talk about cash flow, but few talk about the $7,500 plumbing bill that wipes out your gains.
This situation stretched me, but it also reminded me of the importance of trusting the process. Property ownership, just like life, is not always smooth. There will be unexpected leaks, repairs, and bills that show up when you least expect them. But how you respond matters.
I could have spiraled into frustration, but instead I chose to see it as a moment to lean into patience and faith. Yes, it hurt financially, but it also forced me to slow down, reflect, and plan better for the future.
House hacking is a blessing, but it is not without its challenges. My $7,500 plumbing bill was an expensive teacher, but it gave me wisdom I will carry with me into every property I own moving forward.
If you are curious about how to start house hacking, the good, the bad, and the $7,500 surprises, check out my ebook, “Live for Free: The Mindful Guide to House Hacking Your Way to Financial Freedom.”
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