duplex in Quincy - Owner Occupied - Have to start somewhere

[Samuel Carmichael]

Hi Team, 

I would be happy to network with some Mass / Rhode Island BPers. 

In the next few months to the next year, I am looking to get into a Duplex / Triplex on the Commuter Lines into Boston. Either somewhere like Canton, Randolph, Brockton, Braintree,Quincy or even providence or Attleboro. 

I personally commute, and know a lot who also commute from Providence to Boston, and I think Naturally it is going to become more popular. I would like to get a FHA loan for a duplex around 400,000.

Here is my first newbie question (and trust me...i don't want to ask). 

1. Can someone pre-qualify for a FHA loan? So they can bring it straight to a seller?

if not.....

2. Is there a way besides bringing a cash offer to the a for sale by owner - where I could speed up the sale? Because I heard the whole process of the sale can take 4 months. - or is that for realtor listed homes....

GO easy on me.

- Samcro.

Here is an example: 

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Quincy-MA/apa...