<prompt> Human: I already spoke to the bank about mortgages for myself and I have the downpayment and am preapproved for 280,000 My mom wants me to buy her house for 250,000 and then she will pay me rent. The bank says that I need a higher 20 downpayment if its an investment home but I only have even to buy a personal home a little over 5. I suggested buying a house in her area for me so I can stay there when I visit and hopefully retire there but she can occupy the home rent free while Im away at work. Technically what Im doing is investing but Im wondering: Is there anyway I can buy without the bank considering it an investment so I dont need to wait until I have 20, AND is it a financially responsible choice to invest in housing?  <response>: So...your mom cant afford her home...how can she afford to pay rent? Dude, that way lies dragons. 