Questionable Loan Practices

[Jamie Nason]

I know people house hack and buy a house with a conventional mortgage and live in one side and rent out the other, but if I were to buy a duplex with a conventional mortgage, rent out one side, and move my stuff and mailing address there but rarely actually stay there... is that considered illegal?

So current situation... I am temporary living with my parents while my in-laws built a house for retirement. They are not moving in right away...I am taking care of it for them until they move retire so I don’t really have the option to leave.

Can I buy a MFH in need of rehab and sleep/work in this duplex a couple nights a week and rehab it for 12 months then rent it?

It already sounds shady writing it but I would like to know the actual laws.

I have no intention of doing it if it is not legal, which I am probably leaning toward it being either illegal or a gray area but any advice on the matter would be appreciated!

Could be a "good" way to get a low money down without having to find a steeply discounted place to BRRR