Duplex & Multi-Family Blog - Duplexes 101

10 Questions To Ask Before You Invest In A Multifamily Property

Many investors look to multifamily properties as a way to build wealth with real estate. The promise of consistent returns is attractive. Having multiple units can also increase your earning potential. However, 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.

1. What is the Location Like?

You don't need to be a real estate guru to know location is a key consideration. A prime location can improve the property's potential. It could mean that it is more attractive to renters or that property values are strong.

2. What is the Rental Demand?

Strong rental demand is key for a successful property. Check out the local vacancy…

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Choosing a Multi-Family Investment Property

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.

This post will cover some tips to help investors looking to buy multiplexes so they can learn how to choose among multiplex properties.

Tips for Choosing a Multi-Family Property

Find the Right Location

Location is a crucial factor in all real estate investments. You may already have a specific city or region where you want to invest. However, you should narrow it down to the best neighborhoods for multiplex investing. Areas with high growth can be good, but it can also help to consider other factors like the…

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How to Build Wealth Through Real Estate Investing

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.

This post will cover how people can build wealth with real estate investing. We will focus primarily on direct real estate investments and residential properties.

Using Real Estate Investing to Build Wealth

Owning a Home

Your home isn’t just a place to live but also an investment. With every payment you make on your mortgage, you are building wealth. There is also a good chance the property will appreciate over time. Homeowners can use this wealth in many ways. Many even use home equity to finance investment…

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Why Buying A Duplex Is Very Similar To Buying A Single-Family Home

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.

However, if you compare a duplex to two single-family homes, managing the duplex is simpler. The most obvious difference is that you will have two units on the property instead of one. That can mean two rent checks but also two tenants to manage.

What are some of the ways duplexes are similar to single-family homes? Read on to find out!

Similarities Between Buying a Duplex and a Single-Family Home

Purchase Price

The average duplex will cost more than the average single-family home.…

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The Financial Requirements of Investing in Duplexes

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. Lenders will be stricter and apply different standards. It isn’t necessarily the same as financing a single-family home as your primary residence.

Learn the Financial Requirements

Down Payment

You’ll need a down payment to finance the purchase of your duplex. If the duplex is an investment property, you will likely need a larger down payment than you would for a primary residence. However if you're going to live in the property as an…

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The Duplex Mindset

Start Here.

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.

Most people buy a duplex for one reason: To make money. Full Stop - end of story. It might be in the form cashflow, or tax advantages, or renting one half out to offset your mortgage, or capital appreciation (or hopefully all of the above) but it's about making money. You are not buying a home - you are purchasing a small business. The duplex mindset is about seeing your investment in a multifamily property the same way you would see an investment in any other business, and your main goals are to increase revenue and reduce expenses.

Turn off HGTV.

Every dollar you put into your duplex…

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How to Calculate the Cap Rate

The Cap Rate is a quick way to check the financial outlook of a multifamily investment property. So how do you calculate the cap rate on an investment property? The basic calculation is pretty simple:

Cap Rate = Net Income / Property Value

Cap Rate Example
Let's do an example of calculating the Cap Rate. You’ll need these numbers:

1. Property Value. Not just the asking price, but what the property is actually worth. Your Realtor can help you determine this number by pulling comps for similar multifamily properties that have sold in the area. For our example let’s say that you’ve found a duplex that is worth $300,000.
2. Gross Income. This is the gross rent that the owner would receive. For our example we’re going to say that the property is rented…

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