Does an office count as owner occupied?

[Eiann Sha]

We're in the process of assuming a fha loan on a 2/1 SFH and it needs to be owner occupied. Would using the detached garage as an office count for owner occupied if we got audited? Or renting only 1 of the 2 rooms and using the other as an office? My husband and I both work from home.

[Chris Davidson]

@Eiann Sha sounds like fraud and stretching to make a deal work. Reframe it to is this deal worth giving the seller what they are looking for and me taking on a assuming an obligation that may be considered fraud. 

Sounds like the win for the seller, and a short term win for you if everything goes as planned. Or a massive headache if things don't go perfect for you.