Can you get a duplex with an FHA loan if you have a cosigner?

[Ellie Narie]

I heard that you can't get any 2-4 unit properties with an FHA loan if you have a cosigner. BUT, I also know a lender that does FHA construction loans and you can build a DUPLEX (not a 3-4 unit, but just a 2 unit) property with that loan AS LONG AS you qualify for it without using the potential rents as income.

Now, with that said, I'm wondering if I could BUY a duplex instead of building one and still have a cosigner. If we qualify for it without having to use the potential rent, could FHA let us do that?

Another question, what if the cosigner already has an FHA loan of their own, can they co-borrow with me and get a 2nd FHA loan? I heard that people can be a non-occupant co-signer on another FHA loan even if they already have their own FHA loan, but I'm wondering, can they be a co-borrower, not just a cosigner, on a 2nd FHA loan? So it would be my first FHA loan and their second FHA loan.