Duplex - Split in two and sell individually?

Question

I'm looking at a duplex fixer in my area.  Curious if anyone has had experience (and success) "splitting" it and selling the two halves as separately deeded units?

Josh Landers · Answer

I'm hearing a "party wall" agreement will need to be created that addresses that.  City said I need to schedule a "concept review meeting" to make sure the project meets their requirements in terms of water, fire precautions, easements, etc.

In this tight market, buyers squeezed out of the single family detached market might see a half duplex with private yard as a decent option.

Jake Moran · Answer

It seems like the attractiveness of buying half a duplex depends on the perception of your area. Some of the comments above are very against the idea, but in the Washington DC area where I live, they are incredibly common. It seems like duplexes were all the rage in the past, and then at some point the area went through a phase of splitting them up. They are now called "semi-detached," and there is virtually no negative perception about them around here. Of course they're not quite as valuable as SF detached, but that's a different conversation. Point is, they are perfectly acceptable here.

If you are considering buying a duplex and converting it into two semi-detached homes, I'd simply recommend you do your homework for your area and see if there is a negative perception that would hinder demand for them.

Stacy Eisenberg · Answer

In Dallas, most of the duplex's are sold with only one side.  You can find one with both sides, but it is more common to have only one side for sale.  With that said, I do not know what it would take to split it up, but I like the idea.

Eugene Kemp · Answer

From a buyers perspective, I would not touch one side of a duplex with a ten foot pole! All or nothing.

Thea Linkfield · Answer

I'm very curious about the same process. I'm looking at a duplex (2 adjacent townhomes) in Jacksonville Beach. This area is littered with townhomes. Most currently for sale are just one side for sale, so splitting them is definitely an option. I'm just curious on the process of splitting them. We figure we will need an attorney but really unsure of what is necessary to make this happen and how much it will cost.

Valerie Hiscoe · Answer

Scheduling a 'concept review meeting' seems like it would be a very informative and worthwhile decision.  If you called them 'townhouses' and stayed away from the word 'duplex' and made a clear definition between the two 'properties' you'll be selling to homeowners instead of investors which may make it worthwhile to jump through a few hoops.

Thomas S. · Answer

You need to start with your local building department. What others may have done may not apply in your situation.

Michael Hong · Answer

I'm also interested I've seen and heard of many success stories going this route in my area would love to know !