Is 25% down required even if I plan to house hack a 5-unit?

[Michele V.]

Happy July 4 all, 

I'm checking in with a question that might be so stupid that it's insulting, but I'd like to know your thoughts if you wouldn't mind sharing them.  I am analyzing my options in my goal of investing in a multifamily property.  I'm happy to house hack - I love the idea of only having to put down 5% for a 4-unit if I'm going to live there.  

The challenge is that I'd really like to be able to invest in a 5-unit, but I don't have the 25% down-payment that's required for commercial properties.  

So my question is: if I plan to be an owner-occupant in a 5-unit property, is the 25% down payment still required (or might a lender allow for a lower down payment, for whatever reason)?  

[Andrew Syrios]

Generally homeowner loan products (like FHA) only go up to 4 units. Maybe there's something else out there that goes to 5 or more, but I've never heard of it. Maybe you could find someone who will loan up to 80% (I've seen it done before), but likely, even if you are going to house hack on a 5 unit property, 75% LTV is the most they'll go.