5 Unit FHA House Hack

[John B.]

I'm interested in a multi that currently has 5 units. It is listed as having 5 units on the county property website. If I wanted to use an FHA loan (3-5% down) and house hack it, how would I be able to do so on this property?

Would the current owner have to change it to 4 units before I got qualified for the loan. And, if so, how would they have to change that, would adding a doorway between the units work or would they have to have reclassified through the county as four units?

Or, could I just intend to use the 5 unit as a 4 unit?