What would change in your life if your home could help pay for itself?
In this episode of The Mortgage Athlete Podcast, Tracy Hayes and Tom Reber welcome John Adams to talk about mortgage hacking and how buyers can use real estate strategies like the BRRR method and house hacking to offset the true cost of ownership. John shares how his early years in real estate led to mistakes during the 2008 era, and how renovation and smarter structure helped him claw back and build a repeatable playbook that he later poured into his book.
The conversation breaks down who the book is for and why building the right team matters. John explains practical ways to reduce shelter costs through multigenerational living, ADU and efficiency units, and renting strategies that can turn a primary or even a second home into a cost offsetting asset. They close with a reminder that wealth transfer planning matters too, and that the right professionals help turn a home into a long term generational wealth tool.
Pick one mortgage hacking move you can act on this week and talk with a trusted lender and realtor about how to structure it the right way.
Highlights
00:00 - 01:22 Welcome back and who John Adams is
· Show kickoff with Tracy and Tom
· John Adams introduction and roles
· Mortgage Athlete energy and mindset
· Why his lane matters right now
· Quick rapport and context
01:22 - 03:18 Cycles feel like 2009 and lessons from 2008
· Market cycles returning in 2026
· Opportunity inventory shows up
· Less investor concentration today
· John shares mistakes and recovery
· Renovation experience becomes the teacher
03:18 - 05:41 What the book covers and who should read it
· John explains book purpose
· Customer success stories shape it
· One program approach to BRRR
· Avoiding assumptions on value
· Best fit for first time buyers and VA renovation readers
05:41 - 07:25 What house hacking really means today
· Offset total cost of ownership
· Multigenerational housing examples
· ADU or efficiency for boarder income
· Tenant plan when you move out
· Repeatable path to the next home
07:25 - 08:54 Build your team and think bigger than the mortgage
· Importance of trusted professionals
· Realtor lender contractor insurance
· Compliance reminder results vary
· Florida probate and trust awareness
· Plan to transition property to heirs
08:54 - 10:11 Closing thoughts and where to learn more
· Generational and transitional wealth
· Team can include CPA and planners
· Have a plan for the inevitable
· Thanks and wrap up
Quotes:
"The BRRR method Kawasaki always been a passion of mine in being able to house hack." – John Adams
"House hacking is the ability to buy a home figure out how to offset the cost of it where you're not paying for the total cost of ownership." – John Adams
"You always kind of want the smallest house in the best neighborhood or the one that needs the most fixing that's the way you can leverage in equity." – John Adams
"If you don't have your home in a trust it will have to go through probate even if you have a will." – John Adams
Connect with John Adams!
Website: https://planethomelending.com
Website: https://www.johnadamsmortgage.com
Connect with me!
Website: toprealtorjacksonville.com
Website: toprealtorstaugustine.com
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