House Hacking as Active Duty Military

[Juan Ruben Cortez]

Good Afternoon, I am an Active Duty military member stationed in Tucson,AZ. I would like to utilize the FHA loan to secure my first house hack. I would like to purchase a duplex. I know I would have to live in the property for the first 12 months before I'm capable of renting out the half I am required to stay in. My question is if I am assigned to relocated due to military orders, will I be granted to rent out the property earlier than the 12 months if this situation happens? I have utilized my VA loan already on a single family home and don't intend to use it again until I am required to relocated and utilized it the second time. So will I be capable of utilizing the FHA loan and getting out the 12 months requirement if the situation arrives? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Lawrence Potts]

Yes, they would make an exception for your unique situation. @Grant Schroeder may be able to shed more light on this, but I know that FHA has rules about geographical locations of properties using another FHA product (google 100 mile FHA rule), and typically they want to see 12 months of occupation and at least 9 months seasoning before refinancing. But they have to make exceptions in these situations because they are out of your control.