House Hack a Duplex: Live in Half, Let the Other Half Pay the Mortgage

  1. Compare FHA, conventional, and VA loans on a duplex
    45 min

    Financing decides most house-hack math, so start by pricing all three programs on the same duplex scenario:

    FHAConventionalVA
    Down payment3.5% at 580+ FICO (10% at 500–579)5% on owner-occupied 2–4 units (Fannie Mae)0% with full entitlement
    Insurance1.75% upfront MIP financed in, plus ~0.55%/year annual MIP for the life of the loanMonthly PMI, cancels near 20% equityNone — one-time funding fee instead
    Credit floor~580 practical620 floor; pricing improves well above 700Lender-set, often 580–620
    Extra conditionsSelf-sufficiency test and 3-month reserves on 3–4 units~6 months reserves common on multifamily2.15% funding fee first use, 3.3% after

    Conforming caps rise with unit count — 2026: $1,066,250 for a duplex, $1,601,750 for four units. Rates move daily; have one lender quote all three programs in the same week.