lowest loan amount

[George P.]

looked at a home that requires a lot of work. maybe around 25k worth of work.

the current asking price is 69k, but it's been 69 for over a year.

it would be a steal to get it for around 42, but my mortgage guy said the lowest amount he can finance is 40k. i'd have to pay 53 to get a 40K mortgage (25% down). i can't put 53 with 10k concessions since investor concession max is 2%.

rent i'd get is just under $1200.

any other way to finance this mortgage that's under 40K? i do not have the cash to buy the home and put $25k to renovate it.

any ideas would be appreciated.

[Ed O.]

I'd try a local bank. They have a bit more sense than the big ones. There's a correlation between stupidity and the size of a bank. Also, at the low loan amount, your rate with a big bank is going to get bumped up because its small. Small, local banks are the way to go for a lot of people. Be prepared to call 10-20 of them before you hit one that wants to work with you.