Here are some special mortgage programs for purchasing investment properties

- Conforming loans: These are the most common option and are used for mortgages that meet the standards set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

- Jumbo loans: These are used when the loan exceeds conforming loan limits.

- Government-backed loans: These are used when you occupy one unit yourself and rent out the others.

- FHA loans: These can be used to buy a two- to four-unit home and collect rent on the other units.

- VA joint loans: This is exclusively for eligible military borrowers and allows them to buy a property with up to seven units, as long as they live in one of the units.

- Non-QM loans: These are for borrowers that don’t qualify for other programs and are based exclusively on the rental income received on the home they’re buying.

- Owner financing: Sometimes sellers are willing to act as a lender and provide temporary financing so you can purchase the home in exchange for a large nonrefundable down payment.

- Home equity loan: If you currently own a home with a good chunk of equity, you can borrow against the equity with a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

- Cash-out refinance: This is when you take out a mortgage for more than you owe and pocket the difference in cash, which can be used to purchase an investment property.

- Hard money loans: These are more common for flipping investors and are willing to lend you money knowing you’ll pay it off quickly.