Seasoned Vets: do you consider half duplexes?

Rehabbing, Fix and Flip, Rental Properties
1

Need input. elaborate if you can. there are alot of duplex building around here, a good percentage of which are for sale. Let me know your stance on this matter.
regards,

2

As with any purchase/investment, it depends on the numbers. Could you supply us with some information, your post is just a little vague.

3

i am looking at a few. and the numbers work. i’m just trying to gauge from the group the simple fact that you don’t own the duplex in it’s entirety what rationale and due diligence(property wise) are taken into consideration with this sort of acquisition.

4

I haven’t heard of people buying 1/2 a duplex. Potential issues I see are with the exterior or any other items which would affect both units. What happens if the building needs the roof replaced and you’re ready to do it, but the other owner isn’t?

5

I’ve heard of buying a half duplex. I’m a newbie myself, but I can’t see any advantage to it. What if the other owner doesn’t do a good job of screening tenants, and his tenants become your problem too? Even with all their pitfalls, it seems like a condo would be an easier and safer arrangement if you wanted to buy a cheap single unit in a multi-dwelling.

6

I’ve heard them called twin homes. In an area where it is “done”, I can’t see too much problem with it.

I suspect that it is done in areas where real estate is quite expensive. The only place I personally know it is done is in San Diego County, where that 1/2 might cost you $250,000, and few people have the $ to buy the whole thing.

For a buyer, I think they would be better than a condo. You only have one shared wall, and you get a private yard.

I don’t buy multis in any way shape of form, so I wouldn’t be interested in one, myself. That doesn’t mean that other investors wouldn’t buy. Lots of investors buy multi.

In an area where nobody has heard of the concept, it might be a hard sell.

One possible advantage for buy and hold is that twin homes are often owner occupied, so the neighborhood will be nicer. Duplexes are almost always filled with tenants, and that puts you at the mercy of the LL down the block and his screening process. You get a bad landlord who doesn’rt care, who puts in bad tenants, and he can destroy the entire neighborhood.

7

Duplexes are back in STYLE currently-in Arizona-you can make a great return

Leslie