I’ve always seen just half for sale and once in a blue moon a whole one, which I would like to score so I can easily stop renting and start renting out at the same time and quickly start saving up for my next property. But I never see them. Are they built as whole or individual halves? Where/how does one find them? And what exactly are villas “attached” and “DEtached”, terms I see in listing book, one of which referring to a half duplex. Thanks…
Would this site be good for someone in the US?
You need to be more specific as to what you call a duplex. Where I come from a duplex is one property with 2 living units, sometimes one up one down, sometimes side by side. As I know it, a duplex has one title/deed for the 2 units. Where I come from a twin is 2 separate properties built side by side with a common wall between them. As I know it, a twin is 2 legally separate units, each with a unique title/deed.
Yes duplexes are sold as one property like jmd_forest described. My wife and I own one that’s 2bd/1ba upstairs and 2bd/1ba downstairs too. The thing you have to look at when purchasing a duplex is the utility setup. Many units are going to only have one water meter and one bill. Electric and gas may or may not be split for each unit. Our building has the electric and gas split, but water is not so we pay the water/sewer/trash.
Duplexes are normally advertised just like single family homes. Use whatever website is active in your area for the MLS. Realtor.com has lots of listings nationwide, but my area has a different site for the MLS.
Duplex by definition is 2 units with a common roof and a common wall. The ones that are built as a 2 story (commonly know as 2 family) usually has one deed. The ones built side by side (also known as semi-detached) most of the time have separate deeds. Because they have 2 owners buying the side-by-side type at the same time is more challenging.
Based on your goal, you can buy the top-bottom style (2 family) and live in one unit and rent the other.
What I know of a duplex is that it is two units that are part of the same building. One person can own both or you can sell either as two separate units. Du means two and it is two different contracts. People like to buy both because as an investor, it is nice to work with two properties together in management, which is why owning apartments is lucrative.
Thanks everyone. The term is “multifamily” that a lot of sites use to refer to duplexes. Interestingly, as far as I found, listing book doesn’t have these types of properties listed, unless I’m using the search parameters wrong. Anyway, as I’m coming along in my hunt for my first home, I’m more and more convincing myself to get a duplex as it seems like the quickest way to start earning money with real estate. It provides a way for me to live rent free in the property and at the same time begin to rent out the other half, which might not be the most ideal situation in the beginning, but it seems like an easy compromise at this point in my life. Do I have a half way sensible point of view on the matter?
I think that it is a great way for you to start being an investor. Like you said, you will get to live in one side, and the other side will hopefully pay for you to live there close to free. Also, it is a good place to start as a landlord because you will be living right there and not have to travel for the little fix-its.
You will get a good sample of what it is like to be a landlord without the risk that many have in starting.
Good luck.
Purchasing a duplex is not so much about the construction but about the type of fee simple ownership. “Units” that are sold individually must have separate legal descriptions. Many times you will see these properties being listed as townhouses or condominium units. If the two units are part of one legal description, then the property must be sold as one property containing both units.
If you are having trouble locating a duplex to buy, how about looking at SFR that could be converted to a duplex. This could include properties with a walkout basement, an in-law apartment or an apartment over the garage or a large house that could be split in half.