Looking for First Rental Property

[Santiago Sosa]

Hello BP

Thanks for all the great info on the site.

We are looking to start our passive income life as a young couple and looking to buy our first rental property. I'm self-employed and because of this I know I might have a harder time getting a loan. We were initially thinking of buying the first property for ourselves, but since we live in Miami, prices here have skyrocketed and feel that paying 200+ for a 1/1 condo plus crazy HOA fees is not a very savy investment.

So instead we are looking to buying a Single Family about 30m - 1hr from here.

My question is, I'm highly interested in the HomePath program, will the lender count my cost of rent towards my Debt-to-Income when it comes to getting a loan. I want to make sure that I have everything planned out since I know I might have a harder time since I'm self employed.

Also how long do we have to stay in a Homepath property if we buy as owner-occupants, fix it up and then rent it.

Thanks for all the ideas in advance.