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Items to Consider When Evaluating a Duplex for an Investment

Dustin Edwards • July 13, 2022

Duplexes Can Be A Fantastic Investment Option

Duplexes are common properties for new landlords to invest in. Because of the low unit count, there is reduced maintenance cost and an efficiency in management of the tenants. Evaluating a duplex shares many similarities as evaluating an apartment complex, or any other multi unit property. But what should be analyzed to determine if the duplex is a good investment as a rental property?


We invite you to consider a few essential items when looking to invest in a duplex.


Return on Investment (ROI)

When looking for an investment property, regardless of type, the main thing you need to consider is the return on investment or (ROI). Unlike when searching for a home to live in, for an investment property you need to focus on the potential income. Instead of looking at whether or not you like the color of the property or if its location is conveniently near a school, hospital or shopping center, you should consider items such as:


  • How long before I need to redo the siding/stucco of the duplex 
  • How much income the property can provide
  • What key systems (i.e. heating, AC, plumbing, etc) might I have to replace in the next 5 or 10 years


Keep in mind that if you are purchasing an investment property using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), experienced investors may pass on the purchase at the given listing price. This doesn't mean that it’s not a good property, just that you need to be vigilant when inspecting the property. 


Net Operating Income (NOI)

Sellers have an incentive to report low expenses on the property, however low reported expenses can mean that the seller may have been avoiding major repairs. Be sure to heavily inspect the roof, electrical, plumbing and foundation as these can be some of the more expensive maintenance costs.


The NOI is one of the most important numbers you should look at when searching for a duplex. NOI is the total amount of money earned after expenses with the expectation of interest and principal payments. Some maintenance expenses can be offset to your tenant such as lawn care.


Fair Market Rent

Appropriate rent price can be the difference between vacancies and long term tenants, making it important to gauge the market rent for the area of the duplex. Fair market rent can be determined by investigating surrounding rental options. Communicating with other nearby landlords about how much they are charging tenants for rent on comparable rental properties. Get as many prices as you can, and try to get an average price that should fit within the market.


Duplex as an Asset

For new investors, a duplex can serve two purposes. As you can live in one unit while renting the other, this brings with it a few issues like your tenant living next door and assuming you are available at any time. 


Though generally speaking, unlike a single family house, when you decide to buy a new home, a duplex can provide positive cash flow from both units every month. In the inevitable event that a tenant moves out, rarely will you have both units vacant. 


Maintenance and Management

A duplex usually won’t come with a home owner association (HOA)  or condo fees or guidelines to follow. You can save money by doing maintenance yourself or hiring whomever you see fit for the job. With the property having 2 units, property management can become more cost effective and time efficient. For example lawn care and yard work for both units can be covered as though it were one.


If you have any questions regarding what items you should consider when buying a duplex we invite you to call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.


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Having clear communication with your tenant is essential for maintaining a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. By being transparent in all relevant interactions, landlords can prevent misunderstandings while resolving repairs and disputes efficiently while improving tenant satisfaction. Having good communication with your tenant is beneficial for landlords too. Effective communication also protects your investment property. Remember that while your tenant is living in the property, landlords need to take care of the repairs. Below are the three best things to do during tenant communications. Prompt Responses Addressing tenant concerns quickly is essential for building trust and maintaining a positive relationship. Tenants feel valued when landlords respond quickly, knowing that their needs are being prioritized. Building this trust not only enhances your tenant’s satisfaction it lowers the possibility of conflicts or misunderstandings to arise. This ultimately creates a healthy and successful rental experience for you and your tenant. Some of the most common inquiries will oftentimes include repair requests, among others. As an example; if your tenant reports a leak under their faucet and the repair is delayed, this can be damaging to your landlord-tenant relationship, as well as your property. If left ignored, that leak can result in hundreds of dollars in water damage and a vacancy . Which can further affect our bottom line negatively. For landlords with multiple properties, this can become difficult to keep track of. A property manager can help with scheduling repairs and communicating with your tenant on your behalf. Document Everything Keeping a detailed record of all interactions with your tenant is an important element when managing a property. There are many choices for documentation including email, text, or written notices. Although many property management companies and landlords have opted to use apps or dedicated tenant portals to log communications. A great example, for instance, a tenant may claim they’d reported a repair issue that was never addressed, if everything is to be documented, both you and the tenant would have a copy of the request. Maintaining transparency with tenants. Having thorough documentation ensures agreements and requests between all parties are clearly tracked. Documenting communications with your tenant provides landlords with a foundation for addressing misunderstandings, or disputes if and when they arise. Provide Regular Updates Regular updates show tenants that their landlord is organized and has an attentive approach to managing their property. Giving tenants ample time for maintenance, inspections or policy changes is a simple way to build trust with your tenants while showing your professionalism. Giving tenants advanced notices reassures them that you’re aware of how changes can affect them and you understand that time might be needed in order to adjust. Surprises are best kept for birthday parties. Proactively notifying tenants of changes helps clear the communication channels and minimizes disruptions which helps tenants feel valued and satisfied. These small yet consistent efforts can contribute to a positive tenant stay, which can encourage lease renewals and long-term tenancy. Additionally, having a good relationship with your tenants can give you a great reputation which can provide you with leads when looking to fill a vacancy . It cannot be understated the importance of communication for a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. Even if your tenant may not agree with some of the decisions a landlord needs to make, by giving your tenants ample time to process the change tenants generally are more accepting of said change. If you’re having trouble communicating with your tenants or if you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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