Help/advice.. Having problems with my second real estate purchase

[Jason Pavloff]

Ok.. So I've read a few real estate book, I'm no pro and yet obviously, and the advise I get from people in the industry hasn't been 100% true. 

My problem, I'm trying to prepare myself for my second buy and hold multifamily property. My first was an FHA owner occupy 3.5% down duplex. It's been almost two years now and I would like to buy my second. However I'm finding issues..

1.) I was told I could get into my second, multifamily owner occupy, with just 15% down... I'm being told that isn't so... 

2.) I'm also being town I can't use the income on the current property that I want to buy, 4Plex, to help qualify, I dont really need it really, but it sure would make things look a little better if I could. 

3) 6 months reserves need...?  my current duplex is $1500 gross cash flow. The current 4 plex  has 3 units rented out with a combined $3200 income, and one unit vacant. If I move in and owner occupy it would be about $500-$600 gross cash flow... 

I guess my biggest issue is that on my second multifamily unit.. I really can't go into it with just 15% down like I've been told by a few loan officers, correct? And if so, what house hacks are out there to help make this happen? 

Also i'm trying to see if I can cash out refi on my current duplex to help push me to 20% down.  Portfolio lenders are telling me I need 20-30% down before they would help...