How do I buy Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex?

Question

Hello everyone,

I first want to apologize if this is the stupidest question you've seen in the forum.

I'm a complete newbie wanting to househack with small multifamily. And my first step was to find them on Zillow to get an idea. If I'm understanding correctly, every duplex sale that is listed in Zillow has only one apartment of duplex listed. So does that mean 2 apartments of the duplex needs to be listed in order for me to own the duplex?

How should I start finding the deals?

Thank you so much in advance!

Tony Severance · Answer

@Sung Won Moon  It has become fairly common for people to break a duplex into two individually sellable units by condo-ing them.  Most duplex, Tri-Plex, or Four-Plexes are sold as one property containing all of the units, so make sure to read the listing very carefully and check with the listing agent, or your own agent if you are working with one.

Brittany Minocchi · Answer

Hello @Sung Won Moon!

Typically on Zillow, the address listed will be for all of the units (something like 1224-1226 Main St. for a duplex, for example). Or, it could just be one individual address if it is an up-and-down duplex and not a side-by-side. If a duplex is for sale, you are purchasing the whole property, not just one unit, so you wouldn't see a separate listing for each unit.

As far as finding deals, Zillow, Facebook and Redfin are good places to check. County auctions could be another good resource, but those can be a little more tricky (back taxes are pretty common, in my area anyway). If your area has a real estate investing group of some kind, you may make some valuable connections there.

Hopefully that helps! PS - no stupid questions, we all start somewhere :)

Eliott Elias · Answer

Call the realtor and ask.