I Was told "No one will pre-approve a 203k loan" by a broker

[Major Robertson]

So I called a mortgage broker as I found a house I'd like to purchase and renovate with a 203k loan. The mortgage broker said that you can't get a pre-approval for an FHA 203k loan and doesn't know anyone that would do that. He said he would be willing to write a letter stating I would be approved based on the information I gave him. He told me that he has done 203k loans before.

I did research on 203k loans before and have seen people get pre-approved. Does anyone know why he told me this or if it's true that you cant get pre-approved for the 203k?

I'm skeptical about him not offering pre-approvals and would be nervous paying earnest money and paying for inspections to find out I wasn't approved after the fact. Not only that but most people won't look at an offer without a pre-approval, and I'm not sure how well his word that I would be approved would hold up. 

On a side note, if anyone knows any small banks or lenders that do 203k loans in Louisville Kentucky please let me know.

[James Wilcox]

@Major Robertson @Jeff McMahan is correct. If you want to qualify for a FHA loan you have to make the purchase on your primary residence. You can use a FHA for an investment property only if you live in one of the units. Unclear if you planned on "house hacking" but it is a great way to get into REI. Sometimes you can use the income of the other units to help qualify for the loan as well.