When Yvonickel, an electrical engineer in Peachtree, Georgia, decided to become a real estate investor, it wasn’t through a traditional investment property. Instead, it began with a deeply personal space: his childhood home. As family members gradually moved out, he and his mother were left with more space than they needed.
Rather than letting the empty rooms go unused, they saw an opportunity to put the home to work. That decision became the foundation of a budding side business—a home Yvonickel now shares with others as an owner-occupied PadSplit host.
What started as an experiment in house hacking has turned into a lesson in consistency, flexibility, and how to think like an entrepreneur—even when you’re living in the same space you’re renting out.
💡 Did you know? According to a 2023 Zillow survey of recent homebuyers, 39% consider house hacking a “very” or “extremely” important opportunity, which is an increase of eight percentage points over the previous two years. The strategy is particularly popular with younger generations – 55% of millennial and 51% of Gen Z home buyers expressed positive views on house hacking.
Why PadSplit beat the competition
Before committing to PadSplit, Yvonickel explored other platforms like Furnish Finder and TurboTenant. The results were underwhelming.
“I wasn’t getting a lot of interest on other platforms. Even though they said my listing was on multiple websites, it just didn’t bring in leads like PadSplit does. PadSplit seems to get more eyes on my listing.”
Having also hosted on Airbnb, Yvonickel has seen both the highs and the volatility of short-term rentals. His most successful month on Airbnb brought in about $5,000, but that kind of peak was unpredictable.
The income trade-off that actually pays off
With PadSplit, his income is slightly lower, but the consistency makes a significant difference.
“Airbnb has been more rocky,” he explains. “With PadSplit, so far, it’s been pretty smooth. Even if the income is lower, I like knowing that for this 12-week period, I’ll have someone in the home. That helps me plan.”
In an uncertain economy, Yvonickel finds comfort in the predictability of PadSplit.
“With the potential of a recession, demand for affordable housing is going to stay strong. PadSplit feels more secure. It’s not as impacted by travel demand like Airbnb is.”
💡Did you know? A 2023 Pew Research study found that 60% of Americans say finding affordable housing is a major problem in their community, underscoring the growing demand for models like PadSplit.
Running your home like a business
“I think PadSplit is a good way to get yourself in the mindset of running a business,” Yvonickel says. “Yeah, it’s your home, but if you take the proper steps, you can still run it like a business.”
Yvonickel co-manages his PadSplit with the help of his mom. While juggling a full-time job, he finds that PadSplit’s model offers a balance between earning income and keeping things manageable.
Less work, more peace of mind
One of the biggest perks of switching to PadSplit? Less turnover and fewer headaches.
“With Airbnb, every turnover means washing sheets, vacuuming, scrubbing bathrooms—it’s a full cleaning every time,” he says. “With PadSplit, the members clean their own rooms. I haven’t had to worry about that kind of maintenance.”
Living with PadMates: Making shared spaces work
Yvonickel lives in the same house as his PadSplit members, also known as his “PadMates.” But thanks to a well-designed setup, privacy and comfort aren’t issues. His family resides in a basement apartment of the home, while the upper floors are shared by members.
“If you’re in closer quarters, I think it’s important to define shared spaces clearly and get feedback from your PadMates,” he advises. “So far, I haven’t had any issues—mostly because the house has a lot of space.”
He’s planning to add a few more rooms to the home in the future, and he’s already thinking about how to maintain harmony. Communication, he says, is key.
House hacking: The secret weapon for first-time buyers
In today’s market, affording a home feels out of reach for many. But house hacking offers a secret weapon.
“A lot of people don’t realize they can buy a house and rent out the rooms to cover the mortgage,” he says. “If you structure it right, it’s a great way to become a homeowner when you otherwise couldn’t.”
💡 Did you know? The median monthly rent in the U.S. now tops $1,950. House hackers who rent 2–3 rooms can often cover 75% or more of their mortgage, significantly lowering the barrier to ownership.
What’s next for Yvonickel?
Though he’s comfortable for now, Yvonickel hasn’t ruled out expanding.
“The goal is to get more properties. I’m even open to moving and setting up a new PadSplit elsewhere. If I move, I’d want to house hack again.”
Ready to start your own house hacking journey? Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more stories like Yvonickel’s to help others unlock affordable homeownership and stable income. If you’d like to get started or learn more, visit PadSplit.com.
