How did you buy a multi family with 0% Down?

[Natalie Kolodij]

I know it's been done before- I want to hear how you've done it! 

I would ideally love to get a duplex for my first property- however neither the USDA 0% down loan nor the Washington state first time home buyer 0% down program allow for any income producing element. 

So I'm back at FHA at 3.5% which...which most places isn't a great deal...but a duplex where I live is going to fall around the $300k+ range. So I can save/put down 3.5%...but I'd rather put that into renovations.

My current options for 0% down seem to be : 

• SFH that has an option to be converted to have a MIL or something of the sort
• Negotiate a seller financing deal 

Who has other ideas? How have you made this work?