First time Home Buyer Duplex Dreams - Denver

First time Home Buyer Duplex Dreams - Denver

Denver, CO · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 1 vote

Hello, I stumbled into BP about a week ago and since then I have listened to 5-10 podcasts, a webinar, and read a few articles.  I really have appreciated the service being provided here as a new comer.  I had looked at buying a house a few years ago, but backed off because I didn't know where to start with little money, this time my goal is to start building passive income and make money work for me.

I live in the Denver area.  I recently talked to a mortgage broker to get more information about CHFA (a colorado first time home buyers assistance program) and he pretty much said it is impossible to buy my first home as a duplex without a large down payment.  

I don't have any partners (though my roommate said he might be interested), I don't have a ton of money to throw at it.  

Can you help me learn?

What options are the mortgage broker missing? I was trying to do research into CHFA, but I am unable to find any details on qualifications and regulations, if you have a resource or website that I can read, I would greatly appreciate it.

As I told the mortgage broker, I am willing to jump through hoops if that will get me to my goals, I'll do the research, I just need some help to find the next steps.

Thank you!

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Real Estate Broker · Bradenton, FL · Member since 2017 · 544 posts · 363 votes
9y

Welcome @Tyrel Ebele you are definitely in the right place! @Brandon Turner wrote a book for just this purpose called "The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down." On the banner at the top just look under education, then books & resources.  I haven't read it yet  but I've heard that its incredible.  Good luck!

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  • Real Estate Broker · Bradenton, FL · Member since 2017 · 544 posts · 363 votes
    9y

    Welcome @Tyrel Ebele you are definitely in the right place! @Brandon Turner wrote a book for just this purpose called "The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down." On the banner at the top just look under education, then books & resources.  I haven't read it yet  but I've heard that its incredible.  Good luck!

  • Andrew PostellPro Member
    Lender · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    9y

    @Tyrel Ebele I'm not sure about the first time home buyer program you referenced specifically but most of these programs do have that type of a restriction on duplexes, etc. HOWEVER, a standard FHA loan requires only 3.5% down to buy a home and you can buy a duplex, tri-plex, and quad with that loan type. As long as you live in one of the units you can rent out the other unit(s). Is 3.5% down a reasonable goal for you to have as a down payment?

  • Realtor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Forget the duplex. You are not going to find one decently priced in a good area. Your best bet is to rent by the room. 

  • Stephanie MedellinBusiness Member
    Mortgage Broker · CA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 644 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Matt M.:

    Forget the duplex. You are not going to find one decently priced in a good area. Your best bet is to rent by the room. 

     If that's the case, remember you won't be able to use rental income to help qualify.

    Stephanie Medellin, Loan Factory58 Reviews
  • Flipper/Rehabber · York, UK · Member since 2013 · 895 posts · 453 votes
    9y

    @Tyrel Ebele @Andrew Postell is correct that you can use a loan with a low down payment to buy a duplex. And if that's what you want to do, definitely explore that option before listening to people who tell you to forget it. There are opportunities out there and there are good people who will help. I just sold an affordable duplex for a client of mine, and was really appreciative that he decided to go with a buyer using an FHA loan (sellers don't prefer the for reasons I don't need to go into in this thread) because he himself had started out as a young investor in the same situation.

    Figure out what you're qualified for and start looking based on that, and remember that the rent from the other unit(s) is going to improve your buying power. And talk to a lender about CHFA or other questions, the information online is difficult to digest as a lay person.

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