Co signer on an owner occupied loan for a duplex (Househack)

[Preston Wallace]

I'm working on getting my finances in line before looking for a duplex to house hack in early 2022. Based on the quick and dirty underwriting I have done, I'm pretty sure my DTI is going to create a hurdle. I'd be turning my current residence into a rental, but because I don't currently have any income on this property I already know a lot of lenders are not going to allow that expected income to go into their calculation.

If I were to get a cosigner, would the cosigner have to be a relative if I were to go with a conventional 5% down loan?