HomeHome ImprovementDuplex FinancingPage2
Advertising Disclosure Acorn Finance receives compensation from some of the companies featured on our website, which may influence the presentation and order of the offers shown. Please note that not all loan options, savings products, or lenders are represented on our site.

Duplex Construction Loans

Get personalized rates in 60 seconds for duplex loans, without affecting your credit score.

How much would you like to finance?

A woman is using the Fiona Template to control her smart home app on her phone.

Duplex & Triplex Financing

Are you in the market to finance a duplex, or thinking about renovating an old home to function as a duplex? Or maybe you’re a contractor with a customer that wants to build a duplex but needs financing. No matter what your reason is, let Acorn Finance help you secure a duplex loan or financing today with zero hassle. Secure financing for a duplex for up to $100,000, even with bad or average credit. You will also get some of the lowest rates around when financing your duplex through Acorn. Repair your current duplex or build a new one today by financing through Acorn Finance.

Check Offers
Quick. Simple. Secure.

How To Finance Building A Duplex

Check New Loan Offers With No Impact To Your Credit Score
A blue icon with a leaf on a monitor and a phone.
1

Pre-qualify

Fill out an easy online form to check for pre-qualified offers with no impact to your credit score
A mobile phone and a tablet with a list on it.
2

Select offer

Compare terms and payment options to select the offer that’s best for you
A mobile phone and a tablet with a building on it.
3

Finish application

Complete your application on your selected lender’s website
A hand holding a dollar sign.
4

Receive funding

After your loan is approved, your funds should arrive within 1-2 business days2

How We're Different

Check offers
in seconds

Get pre-qualified for loan offers with an easy online form

Won't impact
credit scores

Checking offers will not impact your credit score

Competitive
payment options

Compare rates from our network of lenders

Receive
funds quickly

Same-day and next-day available for certain offers2

Compare Rates From Lenders in Our Network

Duplex Financing Options: Construction, Down Payments & More

Whether you are looking to purchase a duplex or make home improvements, financing is available. Financing a duplex can be a long term investment that creates family wealth and generates passive income. A duplex with five or more units is usually classified as commercial real estate. Commercial real estate loans can be more difficult to secure and can require bigger down payments. In most cases it requires less down payment to finance an owner-occupied duplex. Most owner-occupied mortgages can be secured with as little as 3.5% down. Keep reading to learn more about how to secure the best duplex financing.

Read More

+

How do you finance a duplex?

If you are purchasing a 2-unit duplex or 3-4 unit multifamily home you should be able to use a residential mortgage. Financing terms can be more favorable if you plan to live on the property. If you live on the property and rent rooms or units you should qualify for an owner-occupant mortgage. In most cases, owner-occupant mortgages have lower down payments and interest rates compared to conventional financing. Conventional financing is usually used if you are looking to purchase a duplex or multifamily home as an investor only. If you have credit challenges or are lacking a down payment you should look into using a personal loan to finance a duplex. Some of the most common loans for financing a duplex include...

– FHA Loans

– VA Loans

– Conventional Loans

Can you buy a duplex with a conventional loan?

Yes, you can buy a duplex with a conventional loan. In most cases, conventional loans are used when you purchase a duplex as an investor only. This means you do not plan on living on the property.

Is it a good idea to buy a duplex?

Buying a duplex can be a great idea and even better investment. Not only does buying a duplex give you home security it can provide income. Buying a duplex or property can create family wealth and give you an asset to pass down from generation to generation. People will always need a place to live. This means that having rental property is a valuable long-term appreciating asset.

How much should you pay for a duplex?

Location has just about everything to do with what you should pay for a duplex. For example, In San Diego, CA most duplexes are offered between $500,000 to $800,000. Compared to places like Texas and Florida, duplex prices in San Diego are much higher. In addition to location, condition and curb appeal are also heavily factored into the price. Although the duplex may cost more in San Diego it's an extremely desirable place to live with a booming rental market.

How much money do you need to buy a duplex?

If you are purchasing a duplex as an investor with no intent to live on the property you may need 20% to 30% down. However, if you are purchasing a duplex with intent to live on the property you may be able to put as little as 3.5% down.

Can you buy a duplex with 5% down?

If you are using an owner-occupant mortgage you can buy a duplex with 5% or less down on approved loans.

How can I get a duplex with no money down?

If you are using a VA home loan you can purchase a duplex with no money down. However, most residential mortgages require some amount of down payment. If you do not have a down payment you should look into a home equity line of credit or personal loan. Even though interest rates can be higher using a personal loan they are usually easier to secure. You can qualify for a personal loan up to $100,000 with no money down. In addition, all credit types can qualify for personal loans.

How do you legally split a duplex?

Some duplexes can be legally split with a property line running down the middle. However, some duplexes cannot be split. You should contact an attorney to determine whether your duplex can be legally split.

Is a duplex better than an apartment?

If you plan to live on the property a duplex can be better than an apartment. Duplexes give more of a home vibe. Some may even come with a private backyard or attached garage. In addition, most duplexes have ground-level entrances making them more desirable. If you are looking to purchase a duplex or apartment as an investor, you may make more ROI on apartments. It's likely that you can secure more units and have less property upkeep on apartments.

Can you finance a duplex with an FHA loan?

Yes, you can use an FHA loan to finance a duplex as long as it's considered residential and you intend to live in it. If you are purchasing a duplex with the sole intention of renting it, you may be limited to a conventional mortgage.

The concept of owning a multifamily home is attractive. In some cases, you can live in a duplex, and rent it out to cover your cost of living. You may even be able to profit off the deal. Even though duplexes are often used for rental purposes, they are considered residential properties. As long as the multifamily home has four or less units, lenders should consider it residential. If a multifamily home has five or more units, it's now considered commercial real estate. If you plan to purchase a duplex and use an FHA loan, make sure it's four units or less.

FHA loans are backed by the government and can be secured with down payments as low as 3.5%. In addition, they are easier to qualify for compared to a conventional mortgage. Banks and lenders can offer FHA loans if they are authorized to. If you want to get an FHA loan you will need to find a lender that can offer them. If you don't have 10% or 15% saved up or maybe you have a less than perfect credit score, you should consider an FHA loan. However, if you have excellent credit and a big down payment saved up, a conventional mortgage may be better. You might qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score between 500-579, if you have 10% down. In order to qualify for an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down, you'll need a credit score 580 or higher. When you apply for an FHA loan, lenders will most likely request proof of income.

Is it hard to get a loan for a duplex?

Getting a loan for a duplex may not be as difficult as you think. However, managing and keeping up with a duplex can be a lot of work. Before purchasing a duplex you will want to think past just the initial purchase to make sure it's something you can handle. In addition, if you need the rental income that the duplex will provide in order to qualify for financing, this may cause complications. Although the idea of a tenant paying rent every month sounds like a solid plan, things happen. If a tenant is late or defaults on their rent, you are responsible. You own the property. For these reasons and more, lenders will want to make sure that you have sufficient funds to cover the mortgage.

However, in terms of down payment and requirements, it shouldn't be harder to finance a duplex than a traditional home. If you qualify for a VA home loan, you may be wondering if it can be used to finance a duplex. The answer is, you should be able to use a VA home loan to finance a multifamily home or duplex. Similar to FHA requirements, the multifamily home will need to be four units or less to qualify.

Ultimately, you will need to contact the lender of your choice to see how they handle loans for duplexes. In some cases, duplexes may represent more risk in the eyes of a lender. Lenders are in a risky, yet rewarding, business. Making good loans and reducing risks where they can is important.

What credit score do I need to buy a duplex?

The credit score you need to buy a duplex can depend on the lender and the type of loan you are using. If you are using a conventional loan, the same requirements should stand for a single-family or multifamily home. Most lenders require a credit score 660 or higher to qualify for a conventional loan. In some cases, you may be able to qualify with a credit score of 620. Ultimately, it will be the lender's decision. If you have a lower credit score, a bigger down payment may work in your favor.

If you have less than perfect credit, you should look into an FHA loan. FHA loans may have less strict requirements and lower down payment requirements. You might qualify for an FHA loan with a credit score between 500-579, if you have 10% down. To learn more about FHA loans, scroll up a bit.

When it comes to buying a duplex, you will want to make educated decisions. From the actual duplex you decide to purchase to the financing, there are a lot of variables to consider. In addition, your future plans for the duplex may impact your financing options. For example, maybe you are looking to build a duplex rather than purchase a duplex. If this is the case, then you would need to be looking at construction loans and other types of mortgages.

Consulting a trusted real estate professional can be a good place to start if you want to purchase a duplex. They may even be able to steer you in the direction of a lender that you can trust. When it comes to financial opinions, especially from the lips of someone who may profit off your decision, trust is a big word. While you may be able to find a real estate expert with five-star online reviews, you may need more than this to be able to trust them. Asking friends or family members for referrals can be a great way to connect with a trusted real estate professional.

Are duplexes good for investment?

Investing in real estate can be a great investment. Although the outcome of any investment is never guaranteed. You can hope for the best, but never expect it. Duplexes may present an attractive short-term and long-term ROI. In the short-term, you can buy the duplex, live in one unit, and rent the other. Your tenants rent may cover close to, all of, or more than your mortgage. While you have assumed the risk of owning and paying for the duplex, it's already paying for itself. In addition, duplexes are usually affordable. More affordable than buying two single-family homes in most cases. Lastly, as we have observed, duplexes are no harder to finance than a single-family home.

While the upside to duplex ownership may be enticing, make sure you consider the downside too. For starters, rental income is not promised. There may be months that either a unit is vacant or simply the tenant decided not to pay the rent. In situations like this, you will still be responsible for paying the mortgage. Next, you own the property, Therefore, repairs and maintenance are your responsibility. As a landlord you will have responsibilities. Lastly, bad tenants are out there, and may be more common than you think. Dealing with a bad tenant can be expensive and exhausting.

While a duplex can be a great investment, make sure you consider the pros and cons before moving forward.

Is it possible to buy a duplex with bad credit?

Depending on exactly how bad your credit is, you may have a few different options to consider when looking to buy a duplex. Most lenders and for-profit financial institutions will have higher credit history requirements in order to qualify for a conventional mortgage to fund the purchase of your new duplex. If your credit does not meet these minimum criteria, then there are a couple of different options available to you through the Federal Housing Administration.

The FHA is a government agency designed to regulate the housing industry as well as to give lower-income people a chance at having fair access to affordable housing. Whether that be through public housing or through federal mortgage programs, individuals and families who either have a lower income or a less than ideal credit history, may be able to count on the FHA to help them achieve a sustainable liveable situation.

There are different credit criteria for both private lending and government-backed lending that you may want to consider if you are looking for financing to purchase a new duplex. If you are looking for a private lender and wish to apply for a conventional mortgage, then you should consider that you may need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify. Additionally, you may need to have a lower debt-to-income ratio as well as show a demonstrated recent history of making on-time payments, no new lines of credit, and zero negative events on your credit report for at least a year, if not more. Even with a credit score of 620, many traditional lenders will not consider your loan application and the barrier to entry will be much more stringent than someone with more ideal credit. If you are serious about purchasing a new duplex, then you may want to consider taking a few months to improve your credit rating to ensure that you will have the best chances of qualifying when the time comes.

If you do not have a credit score above 620, then you may need to look into an FHA loan in order to purchase your new duplex. Many Americans find that FHA loans are the best option available for their credit and financial situations.

One last thing to consider is how you intend to use your duplex. Are you going to live in one unit and rent the other for additional income? You may be able to use the projected income to help you qualify for different types of mortgages. Are you looking to purchase the duplex as strictly a rental property and live somewhere else? Then you may not qualify for any of the FHA loan programs and will instead have to go the conventional mortgage route. Either way, just remember, how you intend to use the property will greatly impact what types of mortgages and loan programs you may or may not be able to qualify for.

How do I get financing for a duplex if I have bad credit?

If you are looking for a duplex and you find yourself in the situation where you cannot qualify for a conventional loan with a minimum credit score of 620, then the FHA has two options for you to explore depending on your credit score.

If you are seeking an FHA loan and you have a credit score below 620, but above 580, then you may be able to qualify for an FHA loan to purchase your new duplex. The main additional requirement that you need to be aware of is that you will need to come up with a down payment of at least 3.5% to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

If you are looking for an FHA loan and your credit score is below 580 but above 500, you may be able to still qualify for an FHA loan, however, you will need a larger down payment. For individuals with a credit score between 500 and 579, you will be required to have a down payment of at least 10%.

If you find yourself in a situation where your credit score is below 500 and you wish to purchase a duplex, you most likely will not be able to qualify unless you have a cosigner. If your credit score is below 500, then you should begin the process of improving your credit score before you would want to consider applying for an FHA loan to purchase a new duplex.

What will my monthly payment be on a duplex with a low credit score?

If you are looking to purchase a new duplex with an FHA loan, you may be curious what kind of monthly payment you should begin to prepare yourself for. There are a number of mortgage calculators available on the web where you can enter in some estimated figures to calculate what your monthly payment might look like. NerdWallet has a wonderful mortgage calculator that is designed specifically for FHA loans. Let us take a look at a scenario to see what kind of monthly payments someone may need to prepare for based on a few factors.

If you are someone seeking a $200,000 FHA loan with a credit score of 515, you will need to have at least 10% down. At a 4.5% interest rate and 30-year terms, your monthly payments may be in the ballpark of $1,249 a month. If you change the loan terms to a 15-year mortgage, then your monthly payment may be closer to $1,699. When you calculate the principal and interest, taxes, and insurance, over the span of 15-years, you may pay close to $323,869 in total for that original $200,000 FHA loan. For a 30-year mortgage, you are looking at something closer to $445,322.

As you can see, if you go the 30-year route, you will pay more than double the initial cost of your duplex in interest, taxes, and insurance. If you can afford the monthly payment, switching your FHA loan to a 15-year mortgage could save you somewhere around $120,000 over the lifetime of the mortgage. Of course, this does not include other factors like making extra payments, tax increases, insurance increases, etc. but it can give you a quick rough idea of what you may want to begin to prepare yourself for if you are considering using an FHA loan to purchase a new duplex.

What qualifies you for duplex financing?

The main items needed to qualify for duplex financing include income, down payment, and credit profile. Your income will help determine your debt-to-income ratio which lenders will want to see and the size of down payment you need will be based on the type of mortgage you get and your credit score.

How much money will I need for duplex financing with a bad credit score?

Purchasing a duplex with bad credit is no easy task. It's likely that you will need a down payment. The exact down payment you need can vary depending on the type of loan and lender. If you are financing a duplex that you plan to live in, securing financing should be easier. Down payments can range from as little as 3.5% to 15% or more.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, securing an owner-occupied mortgage for a duplex can be one of the best financing options. Owner-occupied mortgages require that you (the owner) live on the property. If you are looking to secure an FHA loan for a duplex you can apply online through approved lenders or visit your bank or credit union. You can also reach out to friends and family for personal recommendations for lenders. If you are facing credit challenges or a lack of down payment a personal loan can be a great financing option for a duplex. Personal loans are a top choice for home improvement financing. If you want to secure a personal loan you can apply online with Acorn Finance. Acorn Finance is a reliable source for financial guidance and personal loan approvals.

How Does Acorn Finance Compare?

Compare Rates From Top Lenders

$2000 Loan Calculator

Are You A Contractor?
Don’t let duplex financing deals slip away.

Finance more projects with easy, affordable duplex financing options for your customers.

Get Started

Popular Home Improvement Projects

Barn Financing Options

One home, endless possibilities

MORE HOME IMPROVEMENT FINANCING OPTIONS

Personal Loan Information