Searching for house-hack but duplexes are fully-leased

[Irene Low]

I'm looking to buy my first home (aiming for duplex, but open to other types of properties that will allow me to house-hack) using a FHA loan. When I look at the duplexes in my area, most of them are leased with tenants on both sides. I'm not finding much that allows me to live in one unit.

What are some alternative house-hacking routes or tips? If the description states "both tenant leases expire at such and such date", is there a method to maneuver myself into one of the units so I can live in it? 

Excuse my lack of knowledge, I have not even talked to a realtor yet because I guess I'm afraid that they'll say finding what I want is impossible in my area. 

[Christopher Jason Lloyd]

Hey, we deal with situations like this a lot with clients.  1st off, find yourself a good househack friendly agent.  They will have experience navigating this.  Some properties will be fully leased with leases ending way far out and they don't want to move but I would say in most cases, this isn't what the situation is.  Here's some options.

1. If one of the tenants is on a month-to-month lease, put in the contract that one unit is required to be vacant at closing.  Also, do the walkthrough to make sure it's actually vacant especially if the property is rented below market value.  Chances are, the tenants will have a tough time finding a place these days.  

2. Cash for keys can also help ensure it is vacant by closing if the leases are up further into the future.  I am a big supporter of putting it into the contract to be vacant by closing so you don't have both a tenant problem but also a living situation problem.

3. Find one already Vacant

4. Line up closing around one of the lease end dates. We just don't like closing on a househack property fully occupied. This could result in issues if they don't actually move out since now it's yours. I also have had one situation with a VA appraiser about 10 months ago that made the appraisal subject to one of the tenants moving out and the buyer couldn't close unless one of them moved out.