FHA Financing question

[Jonathan Boyd]

So I'm going to buy a duplex in my area to house hack as I get my investment adventure off the ground. I'm wanting as little of my money in it as possible, so I'm looking to do FHA loan. However, most of the multifamily that I feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in are more expensive than the bank will loan me because of debt to income ratio. My question is this: if there is a signed lease for one of the units, does that rent get taken into account when banks look at my DTI ratio? I'm approved for pretty close to what I need, and if the rent of the property I want to buy is considered, I could definitely get it. I have cash reserves for this and my one other rental property, but don't want to tap them for a downpayment if I don't have to.