Official Carleton H. Sheets^® Website

I have heard from time to time investors say they like multiple units because if they have a vacancy then the other unit(s) help pay the mortgage payment.  When a single famile unit is empty there is no assistance.  I agree, in part.  If you own a duplex you have twice the chance of having it vacant as you would with a single family.  In fact, tenants in duplexes move more frequently than do people who rent single family homes.  It would seem that the solo property is betteras far as length of tenancy.  The advantage that multiple units have over the single unit is that generally the cost per unit is less. The relationship of how much rent is generated, in relationship to the unit's cost, of a multiple unit, is greater.  This equates to losses due to vacancy, in multiple units,  is less that single units.  You would have to compare this advantage and the disadvantage of higher turnover to that of the single unit in order to answer the question which one is the better way to go.

One benefit to single family homes is the appreciation. THey tend to appreciate at a much higher rate than multi units. But I agree with the idea that multi's make it better for vacancies. It's a give and take situation for the most part.

Of course they both have their pros & cons, and it's really dependant on your goals. My plan is to acquire more single family properties than multi, the appreciation is a big factor there.

I have 5 single-families- 4 are on same 10 acres, a five-plex,and a 128 bed student complex. The 5-plex is the least headache . You have a year lease, the place is only 2 years old-- what a honey.  I have bought and flipped 2 other houses- it was good, but we had to hang on to one of the for 8 months-- not so nice. I vote for multi, because of the mortgage help-- you have someone making it, instead of just yourself.  Anybody agree???  Cynthia  T

Owner-occupied multi's are great for newbies. You get the good rates, you can live there for free in many cases, the cost per unit is lower and rent per unit is higher, you only deal with one mortgage and one set of red tape, and you get experience as a landlord and an idea of how much time and energy it takes to take care of a property and a few tenants.

$89900 5-PLEX INVESTMENT PROPERTY!!!
Reply to: hous-261486697@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-01-12, 9:37AM CST


Great cash flow on this 5-unit conversion, located 1/2 block from main street in xxxxxxxxxxxx! Good neighborhood, easy walking distance from downtown. Well kept, owner managed, with 5 one bedroom units that are always full. Gross rents are over $19,000.00 per year! The owner is willing to carry a low interest CONTRACT! 113 North 7th Street.