Weird Question on FHA 1 Year House Hack
Hi, thanks for taking a sec to read this post. I am interested in a house hack to start building a portfolio. I know that using the FHA program requires you to live in the unit for one year.
Background: I work primarily on ships for a living so I'm gone in international waters for 6-10 months out of the year.
Question: If I bought a duplex, rented out half to a tenant and then left my things in the other unit, would that pass muster under FHA guidlelines? I'm not going to be physically there for large chunks of time, but I wouldn't be living anywhere else either. That would be my primary residence where I'd get mail, utilities, etc. I'd just physically be at work on a boat floating in the blue for the majority of that year.
I know that's an oddly specific question, but I kind of feel like I could potentially house hack my house hack if I am allowed to work offshore while I gain equity and pass my 1 year required time. Then at the end of the year I could rinse and repeat on another house while I leave on a ship again. I have a contract stating what ship I'm on and my sign on/sign off dates too for legal inquiry.
Thanks for any wisdom you guys have.
-Chris.