Can you buy Primary Residence (but tenants lease good thru July 2025)

[Butch Greene]

Still trying to find a house in Chapel Hill for our 2 UNC student daughters. Zero luck. 
Twice now, small homes that would be perfect have LEASES locked in through July 2025. Lender (One Brokerage from here on BiggerPockets) says we can't buy it as a primary residence if it's leased.
These leased properties would be perfect because July 2025 is when they would move in.
We DO NOT have 15-20% down for a commercial loan. 

Am I asking the wrong questions? Is there a way? Friend advised I could check to see if the leases have a cancellation clause upon sale that can be triggered, but no luck