Selling a Duplex with 2 Buyers interested

[Darrell Kirby]

I am selling a Duplex located in Ecorse Michigan. I received 2 offers. They both want all tenants out and I am currently going through an eviction with the remaining tenant who were both not paying.

I will have to pay capital gains taxes in either case as I've owned less than a year. I originally paid 143K for the place.

1. The buyer wants to pay or assume my mortgage, pay 165K and the place is listed as 161K appraised. They probably will pay my mortgage as it does not look to be assumable. They will put 20K down.

2. The second buyer will pay 150K cash after appraisal.

I assuming number 2 is the better deal. I just wanted input or opinions.

Thanks in advance!

[Bill B.]

Unfortunately it’s not capital gains because you owned it less than a year, its regular income tax. “Fortunately” you probably have zero or almost zero gain. Even if you aren’t paying a realtor you;fe got $7k or less gain. (Are you using a realtor? If so you probably have a loss. If not, have you asked any of them what they would list it for? (Probably not enough to net you more than the $150k cash offer but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Maybe the realtor you used to buy it?)

Zero chance I’d take that owner financing deal. It’s less than 20% down and you’d be underwater if you had to foreclose and sell again. If the investment has turned out to be a bad move sell for cash and move on.