House Hack finance Question

[Katrina Sokolosky]

Hi! I am in the process of trying to purchase my 1st multi family house hack.

My plan is to take a HELOC on my current single family home & rent it out. And move I to the multi-family.

I reached our to a mortgage lender & he is saying the only way I can purchase a multi-family is to purchase a single home with a separate accessory unit on the property (like a separate cottage or such) versus a duplex/triplex.

I need to take advantage of the 3.5% down in order to make this work.

Why would it have to be a separate accessory on the property vs a duplex/triplex?

I'm Confused?

Thanks in Advanced,

Katrina