Owner-Occupied Loan Rules for Rentals

[Matt Wipper]

Hello Everyone, we purchased a duplex 3 months ago in Florida to get our start in real estate investing. We currently live in one side and rent out the other side to a tenant. This duplex is far from work, about 45 minutes in the summer season, expected to be 1.5 hrs from work in the winter season. The distance has been really tough to manage as my girlfriend just got promoted and her hours are significantly more. 

I'm curious to see if anyone has any suggestions for how we may be able to get out of the owner-occupied agreement to move closer to work and rent out our side in our place. Our intentions were to live here for a full year, but we were not expecting a promotion as quickly as it happened, so our initial intent was to live here long term. 

Thank you!