Second Duplex Lending Struggles

[Kenneth Honer]

Hello Everyone,

About a year ago, I purchased a duplex in Spring City, PA (Chester County) which I currently occupy using 10% down FHA financing. It's going very well so far and I'd like to repeat the process again with an owner occupied conventional loan, again being in any of the SE PA counties.

So far, I've been able to find a lender that will allow me to take out a 15% down conventional for a second owner occupied duplex; however, they have conditions. The first one is the move needs to make sense. (ie closer to work, better school district etc...). I can meet that condition. However, the condition that I can't meet is that the house needs to be at least the same size if not bigger in sq footage and price. My current duplex is in the 95% percentile in SQ footage and has 7 BRs. It will be almost impossible to find one thats that big (that also happens to make sense let alone be a good deal).

So my question to anyone is, am I stuck here or do I have ways around this? Has anyone else been able to move around from MF to MF without having to jump through the aforementioned hoops? Any lender recommendations for the Southeast PA region that would be able to underwrite this type of move? I know it is possible to house hack multiple times--but Im not sure if this specific product Im looking for is typically allowed.

Any guidance helps.

Thanks,

Kenny