I reside in the area and have done research on the rental rates...and that upstairs unit can fetch $900.As for living in the unit in order to qualify for FHA...that's off the table

@Tajinder Kandola I agree with @Mike Delprete.I'm not sure what a CGA must do to qualify, but in the U.S. it's four years of schooling plus a year of studying for the exam plus a year of experience. 

You also may qualify for an FHA backed loan and be able to get into an owner occupied multi-family for a low down payment. 

Can a agent help me find a qualified buyer?

I need to bring up my credit score just a bit and reduce our consumer debt a bit so we can qualify for an FHA loan and house hack our way into a MFH.

I think the only way is to refinance and qualify for the loan using your own DTI/ reserves and/or pay off the current loan.http://law.freeadvice.com/general_practice/contrac...

@Ryland Taniguchi since you are an agent are you recommending she not listen to you  :)I think you have to quantify the question and the response.Your not an average buyer with only 25k to work with .. your in the business and obviously a developer of some repute and success.. for those with limited capital and competing against guys like you and I.. the realtor is correct its a sellers market.. the issue for these folks also buying off market is they need FHA loans and many houses need to much work to qualify.. so you really are stuck in a narrow window to buy.4 plex househacking for someone with @Angela Jossy capital is one of the best ways to enter the west coast market.. all the other things like buy a sfr or whatever those are folks that don't know the price ranges on the West coast its not that easy for someone with 25k.

@Bill Regan Have you located a qualified realtor that suites you yet?

They are usually much more qualified than the typical agent since that's all they do everyday.  

If you find a qualified applicant you can transition without losing any rent.