TL;DR — the short version
Your time horizon decides most of it. Staying 3+ years favors buying. A likely transfer, draft or trade favors renting.
House hacking is the athlete-friendly middle path: buy a 2–4 unit or a home with extra rooms, live in one part and rent the rest.
A first rental property can build long-term wealth, but it needs reserves and, if you travel, a property manager.
Protect your cash first. Keep 6+ months of expenses and money set aside for taxes before you buy anything.
Kansas City is a strong place to start: relatively affordable prices, steady rental demand near campuses and job centers, and stable suburbs like Johnson County.
Revenue sharing and NIL deals mean many athletes have real money for the first time. Real estate is one of the most common places they consider putting it, and one of the easiest places to make an expensive mistake.
This guide breaks down the three main options (buy a home, keep renting, or invest) and how to decide which fits your situation in Kansas City. If you’re wondering whether you can qualify for a loan at all, read Can College Athletes Buy a House With NIL or Revenue-Share Income? first.
1. Start With Your Time Horizon
Situation | What usually makes sense |
|---|---|
Staying 3+ years (or KC is home) | Buying a home to live in |
Transfer, draft or trade likely within 1–2 years | Renting while you build your loan file |
Want to build wealth but stay flexible | House hacking or a long-term rental |
What to do: Be honest about how long you’ll stay. Selling within a couple of years often costs more than you’d save on rent.
2. Option A: Buy a Home to Live In
Pros: you build equity, primary-home loans have the best terms, and you control your space.
Watch out for: maintenance, the cost of selling if you move soon, and stretching your budget because you’re approved for more.
3. Option B: Keep Renting
Pros: maximum flexibility and cash on hand.
Use the time well: file clean tax returns, build credit and save. That puts you in a stronger position when you do buy.
4. Option C: House Hack
Buy a duplex, triplex, fourplex, or a home with extra bedrooms. Live in one part and rent out the rest to roommates or tenants.
You can often use owner-occupied financing, which usually means better rates and lower down payments than investment loans.
Rent from the other units or rooms can offset your payment.
Lawrence and the Kansas City suburbs both have steady rental demand.
What to do: Run the numbers with realistic rent, vacancy and repair costs, not best-case rent.
5. Option D: Buy a Long-Term Rental
A single-family rental in a stable Johnson County suburb can be a solid long-term investment.
Investment loans usually need larger down payments.
Budget for repairs, vacancies, insurance and property taxes.
If you travel for your sport, hire a property manager.
6. Protect the Downside
Keep 6+ months of living expenses in reserve.
Set aside money for self-employment and income taxes on 1099 or NIL income.
Don’t put all your money into one property.
Get advice from a CPA and, where needed, an attorney before you buy.
Not sure whether to buy, rent or invest?
I’ll help you weigh the options and find the right property for your timeline. Get started →
Frequently Asked Questions
What should athletes do with NIL or revenue-share money?
Start with a cash reserve and a tax set-aside. Then decide based on your time horizon: rent if you may move soon, buy or house hack if you’ll stay, and invest only with money you won’t need short-term.
What is house hacking?
Buying a multi-unit property or a home with extra rooms, living in one part, and renting out the rest to offset your housing costs.
Is Kansas City a good place for an athlete to invest in real estate?
Kansas City has relatively affordable prices compared with many large metros and steady rental demand, which makes it a reasonable place for a first investment. Results depend on the specific property.
Can I buy an investment property while I’m still in college?
It’s possible, but financing is harder without a two-year income history. Many athletes start with house hacking or a co-borrower.
Related Resources
The Athlete’s Guide to Buying Real Estate in KC — free guide
Get Started — tell me about your plans
This article is general information, not financial, tax, legal or eligibility advice. Confirm your situation with a CPA, an attorney, your lender and your compliance office.
Free guide
The Athlete’s Guide to Buying Real Estate in KC
How lenders view revenue-share and NIL income, four paths to buying, and when to rent, buy or invest.