A 2 unit home, sometimes referred to as a duplex, is a home where there is a rental unit. The renal unit is usually in the basement. Over the years I have seen much confusion surrounding what officially defines a home as a 2 unit. I can tell you that an appraiser, banks and Fannie Mae will be looking for the following:
Things To Look For
-Certificate of Occupancy (C of O): does one exist for the rental unit?
-Utilities: is there separate metering for the utilities for both units?
-Entrances: are there separate exterior entrances for each unit, in the front and rear of the home?
-Access: is there interior access to the lower unit from the upper unit?
-Tenancy: is there a tenant currently occupying the lower rental unit?
If you have a C of O with no interior access, with separate meters, separate entrances. and a tenant, then you have a 2 unit.
If you have no C of O, with interior access, with common metering, with separate entrances, and a tenant, you have a single family home with an “in-law suite”.
There are numerous other variations I won’t bore you with. You may have some of the traits of a 2 unit and some of a single family with an in-law suite. It will ultimately be up to an appraiser to make the final decision. And the underwriter will interpret things based on the appraisal.
Why Is This Important
It is important to know if your home will be called a 2 unit by a lender for several reasons:
-The appraisal is more expensive than a single family with an in-law suite.
-There will be higher Conforming loan limits on a 2-unit than a single family with an in-law suite.
-A 2-unit will be charged a higher interest rate. The higher rate is usually .25% in rate or 1.00% discount point higher.
-Some loan programs state that only single family homes (even with an in-law suite) are eligible, so yours may not qualify at all.
Conclusion
Obviously how your home is defined, if you have a rental unit, is very important. Make sure to ask your lender a lot of questions as to how your property may be defined, how it impacts your eligibility for whatever loan you are applying for, and if it changes the terms.
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Brian Martucci is a loan officer for Capital Bank Home Loans, a division of Capital Bank, N.A. He has been in the mortgage industry since 1986 and has served in a number of roles, including loan processor, loan officer, mortgage broker, branch manager, and vice president. Brian Martucci – NMLS# 185421. His opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Capital Bank Home Loans or Capital Bank. Capital Bank, N.A.- NMLS# 401599. Click here for the Capital Bank, N.A. “Privacy Policy”.
