Multi-Unit Homes Guidelines On 2 To 4 Unit Homes

In this blog, we will discuss and cover multi-unit homes guidelines on two to four-unit homes. Multi-unit homes are two to four-unit residential homes. Home Buyers can purchase any properties between one to four units as owner occupant properties with FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional Loans. Owner-occupied multi-unit homes are where the owner lives in one unit and the rest of the unit is rented out for rental income.

There are two types of multi-unit homes mortgage loans: 

• FHA multi-unit homes mortgage loans
• Conventional multi-unit homes mortgage loans

Veteran Home Buyers can also purchase two to four-unit properties with VA loans.

FHA Loan Requirements On Two To Four Unit Properties

Homebuyers can purchase two to four-unit properties with FHA loans. Multi-unit properties are two to four units. Multi-unit homes can be purchased through FHA loans. The minimum down payment required is a 3.5% down payment on any two to four unit owner occupant properties. The owner of the multi-unit home needs to occupy one of the units.

Buying Multi-Unit Homes With FHA Loans

Homebuyers cannot purchase two to four unit properties and claim it will be owner occupant and not occupy the property. Homebuyer needs to occupy one of the units for at least one year from the closing date and can rent out the remaining units. The rental income of the rental units can be used as qualified income.

Using Rental Income On Multi-Family Homes on FHA Loans

85% of the potential market rent on the non-owner occupant units can be used for qualifying income towards the borrower’s debt to income ratio calculations. Multi-unit homes are an excellent way to offset the home buyer’s income due to the additional rental income. If the home buyer plays their cards right, they can live mortgage-free if they get enough rental income to offset their monthly mortgage and building expenses.

Financing Multi-Unit Homes With Conventional Financing

 

To purchase multi-unit properties via the conventional loan route, the multi-unit home buyer needs a minimum of 15% down payment. The down payment requirement is substantially higher on conforming loans unlike FHA multi-unit home financing of 3.5% down payment. As with the FHA multi-unit mortgage lending program, an owner-occupied multi-unit borrower needs to occupy one of the units as their primary residence for a period of at least one year. Conventional loan multi-unit home buyers can us 75% of the market rate rental income for the rental units in qualifying for their conventional multi-unit mortgage loan

Rates And Terms Of Multi-Unit Homes

Mortgage rates on multi-unit properties are slightly higher than single-family homes. Lenders view two to four-unit properties as riskier investments than single-family homes. Lenders may also require reserves and higher credit scores for multi-unit properties borrowers.

Buying Chicago Two-Flat With Illegal Basement Apartment

The City Of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs have one of the highest concentrations of two to four-unit apartment buildings. A substantial majority of these two to four-unit properties have illegal basement apartments. The city of Chicago Building Department is well aware of these illegal apartments. However, the city just condones it and does not enforce the illegal units.

Mortgage Guidelines On Multi-Unit Homes With Illegal Basement Apartments

Most two to four-unit building owners collect rent from illegal basement apartments. Home Buyers of two to four-unit buildings with illegal basement units will not have any issues with lenders. However, rental income derived by the illegal residential basement units cannot be used as qualifying income. Homebuyers are interested in qualifying for multi-unit property financing in please contact us at Gustan Cho Associates at 800-900-8569 or text us for a faster response. Or email us at gcho@gustancho.com. Gustan Cho Associates is a mortgage company licensed in multiple states with no lender overlays on government and conventional loans. We offer multi-unit property mortgage loans with no overlays. DU FINDINGS or LP FINDINGS per the Automated Underwriting System is your official mortgage loan approval.