The Duplex & Multi-Family Blog

You've heard the old real estate adage "Location, Location, Location" and it's never more relevant than when you're looking for a multi-family property as an investment. There are a couple good rules of thumb that investors follow to help keep their property rented, like buying near a hospital or a campus (lots of employees and students, and lots of turnover). Since Portland has one of the best mass-transit systems in the country we'd like to add a third rule: Buying near a MAX or Streetcar station. This isn't a "get rick quick" strategy, but more of a good long-term strategy that aligns with Portland's urban growth patterns. Why Station Proximity Matters for Portland Renters I've found as an investor and as a broker who helps multi-family investors that there is a big segment of potential renters who actively search for a house that allows them to commute throughout the city without a car. Walking to a transit station is one of the biggest "wants" many renters have, and for more and more it's becoming a "need." Many Portlanders don't even have cars because the cost of gas, insurance and the cars themselves are cost prohibitive, especially in a city with a good mass transit system. How Station Proximity Benefits Investors For investors their first thought is often "I can charge more rent because my duplex is near a MAX station." However this isn't always the case. What I've found is that owning near a light rail station translates into a deeper, more focused tenant pool that helps properties lease faster and stay leased. These properties tend to retain tenants longer and add more stability for the investor. Nobody likes having to clean up and re-rent their property every year. Also when it's time to sell the property you may be able to sell at a premium because you show stable tenants and good ROI from lower vacancies. So even though you may not be able to charge significantly more rent you could benefit from a higher sales price down the road. 

You must do your due diligence before you invest in a multifamily property. This post will cover some questions you should ask before investing in a multifamily property.

The world of duplex or multi-family investing is ripe with opportunity. These properties can be valuable assets in your portfolio. They can also generate significant income with multiple tenants on one property. Along with that, multiplex investing also comes with various tax benefits.

A multiplex investment property is one that has more than one rental unit. It includes duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. They can be great investments, but the process can feel daunting if you are new to multifamily properties.

There are several reasons why real estate is the top investment option for many people. Chief among these reasons is that people see it as a reliable way to build wealth. However, there are many ways to invest in real estate.

Many investors view buying a duplex as a big step in their investment strategy. You are moving from single-family properties to having multiple tenants. While there are definite differences between these types of properties, they also have similarities.

There are many advantages to investing in duplexes. You can have double the rent on one property when comparing it to investing in single-family homes. It is also simpler and more affordable than investing in large multi-unit properties. One point to consider is the financial requirements of duplex investing.

Before we dive into numbers, cap rates, GRM's etc it's important to make sure you are in the correct Duplex Mindset. What does that mean? Read on.