Can I buy a multifamily home with an FHA 203K?

[David Schneider]

Hey BP,
I'm looking to buy a home with a free standing detached mother-in-law apt. Its independent enough it could be considered a 2 unit home.
I looked on FHAs website and they said the 203k can be used on a 1,2,3, or 4 unit home. But my realtor says because its detached fha will consider it an investment property and won't loan on it.
Has anyone bought a home with a detached apartment with Fha or specifcall 203k?
Thanks

[Joel Owens]

The realtor is not a mortgage expert. Check with a local mortgage broker who does a bunch of FHA to see if this would be possible or that you would have to go conventional.

There are weird loan situations sometimes where you get exceptions approved in underwriting on a case by case basis.

I am not an expert on this but would research it this way to see what is possible.