Mentors- duplex or single

[Ryan Devin]

After gradutation for college i am looking to get right into the real estate world focusing on investing and flipping.

Currently i am wondering if it is smarter to buy a duplex as my first home and rent the second part of the home (leaving me rent free) or to buy a single and start saving to buy my first flipper?

let me know the benefits, thanks.

Ryan

[James H.]

Jon makes good points as usual. For your first house, duplex or not, I would try to find something that will be profitable as a stand alone rental or at least break even. A good rule of thumb to determine this is the 50% rule. (search the forums for what the rule entails). If you can land something that fullfills 50% rule criteria and at least breaks even, you will most likely be making a good decsion. The challenge is finding the house in the neighborhood you are willing to live in for 2 to (lets be realistic) 5 years.