FHA loan not approved due to Appraisal rents not covering

[Adam Steinbach]

I was under contract to purchase a 4 plex through an FHA loan with 3.5% down. My underwriting was complete and I was fully qualified, but the FHA loan was not approved because the rents listed in the appraisal didn't cover the monthly mortgage if I were to not live in the residence. This was intended to be my primary residence and I was intending to rehab the units to meet the premium market rents (the appraisal showed them at about 65% of full market value).

Has anyone found a way around this clause? It seems counterintuitive that I have qualified to cover the mortgage while living in the home, a requirement for the primary residence FHA loan, but now cannot get approved if I were to rent it out (which I'm not supposed to do).

Currently working on ways to salvage the deal and would love some help.