Buy & Hold or Flip a Cash Flowing Duplex in This Hot Market?

[Taylor Hellenbrand]

Hi all! Looking for some buy and hold vs flip advice. I am buying a duplex in Madison, WI for $240,000, seems to be a great deal in the red hot market we are in here, after all expenses this property will cash flow $400 per month. However, market analysis comps and local realtors are telling me in its current state we could flip this property for $320,000 and make a quick 80k before expenses/taxes. I am a buy and hold invester and love the $400 per month cash flow but it is also very tempting to flip it in our red hot market for the quick easy cash and roll it into a larger property. I am completely torn between holding on to the property or take advantage of the market before it cools down and flip it. Looking for some input from all of you on what you would do, appreciate it :)

[Paul Bemowski]

240k for a duplex in Madison is a really good price. What area? Was it listed on MLS?

I'm a buy and hold guy too, have a duplex and triplex in madison.  Rather than flipping for 240->320, maybe wait a year, do a little rehab, get good tenants, then refi (rates are low).  If you get a good appraisal you can have your duplex and eat it too - ie - you'll still own it, but you can squeeze out some of that equity for cash, and still own the duplex.  Your cashflow would decrease with the terms on the new loan, but at the same time you'd have cash to buy another property.  In Madison - i think long term appreciation will outweigh the quick buck, unless you are going in to the situation as a flip.