FHA loan or wait until I can afford a conventional

[Account Closed]

I own just one duplex that I purchased with a conventional loan and owner occupy. The mortagage is covered by the rent, plus I have $155 positive cash flow. I'm considering an FHA loan on a second duplex that I will owner occupy and rent both sides of my current duplex. All together if I were to purchase the second duplex, my positive cash flow would only increase from $155 to $200. With 30 year fixed rate loans, the $200/month would amount to 72k over 30 years which I believe would cover the maintenance, repairs, vacancies, etc for both duplexes. My concern is that the loan is going to cost over 60k more in mortgage insurance and over 40k more in interest over the 30 years due to using an FHA loan with just 3.5% down. Should I wait until I can afford another conventional loan (2+ years)......or should I use the FHA loan to be able to acquire a much nicer duplex that will increase my cash flow and is just 2 miles from my current duplex?

[Matt Moldenhauer]

I'm by NO means an expert, but i would probably wait. It sounds like you might over extend yourself. To me the risk for reward isn't really there, cash flow wise. Now if you think the duplex might experience some major appreciation over the next few years it might be a different story, but i don't really see that happening in the midwest.