How to structure 0% down??

[Bradley LaBrie]

I’ve got a former partner that wants to sell me his duplex. He’s willing to “gift” me the 20% down payment and to get the loan and then owner finance that 20% over 3 years to pay him back.

The problem is my lender says the only way I can get a gift of equity is by me buying it as my primary residence.

Has anyone done this before and how did they structure the deal without actually putting the 20% down? Thank you.