Multifamily Investing with your Family

[Samer Jaber]

It has been hard to get into the local multifamily rental market in the Northeast because saving enough for 25% down is seemingly taking forever. I already own a home (my primary residence), which for several reasons I can't sell and move into a new place to quality for an FHA loan and only pay 3.5% down. I have a brother much younger than myself (early 20s) with no prior mortgage. I have considered co-signing on a mortgage with him in a multifamily property (4 unit?), and paying the entirety of the down payment, then splitting the income from the remaining units. Does anyone have experience doing this? Does it make sense? Is it even allowed or is there some subtle rule of FHA loans that forbids it? Of course this is assuming he can qualify for the mortgage...