FHA Won’t Allow OO Duplex to 3-4 Unit?

[Tim Kaminski]

I have an owner occupied conventional duplex. It's been a year and wanted to try to FHA into something bigger. 3-4 units.

Lender is saying the underwriters won’t buy that I would move from a duplex to a 3-4 unit and says that I would need 25% down to purchase.

Is this normal or should I pursue other lenders? Do I really have to explain that I’m just doing this to gain control over assets at a low cost?