How soon after buying the home can it be used as an investment property?

Most lenders require 1 year!

Most lenders require 1 year on Note,

Typically 12 months, there are exceptions but if you will be there a year you should be fine.

12 months unless work relocation can be evidenced

The type of loan you get is based on the intent of use. If your primary intent is to rent it out, then you should be obtaining an Investment loan. However, because you said you are intending to live in it while you finish school, you should be OK buying with a primary residence loan. The key to how long is dependent on the facts. While 12 months is a good rule of thumb, and the requirement most lenders have, certain life events could allow for a shorter period of time. As an example, you purchase as a primary residence and move in. In 6 months you graduate and land a job that moves you out of the area. Moving out to take the job and convert the home into a rental would be acceptable. If challenged by the bank, and you likely would be, you can show that your intent was correct, you moved in, but the new job forced you to move out. No lender is going to force you to keep it vacant for the next six months just so they can say you didn't rent it out. ~ Bert Carpenter, The LoansA2z team of NOVA Home Loans ~ NMLS 40586 ~ Certified by the National Association of Mortgage Professionals and Licensed in California and Arizona ~ www.LoansA2z.com 888-889-9950