Would FHA or HELOC be a better/available option?

[Gregory Robles]

Hi, I'm in my mid 20's and brand new to BP. I have a couple of questions I haven't been able to find straight answers on. I live in Glendale AZ (suburb or Phoenix) and I'm wanting to purchase a second home ($100k-$140k w/ 30yr) and use my first home as a rental property. My current home is valued at +/-$200k of which I have $48k left to pay and $23k in a forgivable loan that will go away 5/2020 if I continue to keep the home under my name. I was wondering if moving into a new primary residence would give me the ability to use an FHA loan to save on down payment or if I would have to put down 20%. If it is required that I put 20% down, would a HELOC be a viable option to use it for the down payment? Does anyone know if a HELOC would be available having the forgivable loan? It doesn't show on my credit report, so I was hoping to get advice whether it would count against available equity (assuming so) or if having it would make me ineligible for a HELOC (hope not although to my understanding a refinance or home mortgage loan would not be available). Also, I have been subleasing my spare rooms for a total $1,350. Would a lease agreement count towards income or would that be required to show on my taxes, and if so for 1 or 2 years? Ideally, I would like to buy and fix the second while continuing to hold my first then work to build multiple holds for rentals. Any feedback/suggestions/advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!