Advice Refinance or Sell 1031 for duplex closer to home

Advice Refinance or Sell 1031 for duplex closer to home

San Diego · Member since 2017 · 23 posts · 5 votes

Hello- We own a house that we have rented successfully in DC for 15 years. We did a cash-out refinance several years ago, but still have equity- value is 900K and we owe 280K (30 years loan) 20 years to go to pay off. We are considering buying a duplex (1M) as a rental closer to our home near a beach with the idea of renting one unit long term tenants to the other as a short term vacation rental. The house is DC has an amazing location and I just have a strong feeling it is the kind of property you hold on to. (Near two college campuses, backs a forest, strong schools, safe, close to downtown etc). As we consider the options for financing a new investment duplex - does anyone have any experience or advice with this scenario?  I would be interested to hear if anyone else held on to a single-family home and refinanced to buy a multiunit or if the most common recommendation is to sell and do a 1031 exchange. I know it is hard with so few details- but any comments are welcome. Thanks!

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  • Real Estate Agent · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 109 posts · 93 votes
    5y

    Hi! 

    My answer would depend on what the numbers look like, and how labor intensive managing the rentals is. And also what the numbers and time commitment on the new rental would be. Managing rentals from afar can be difficult. I also think you’ve gotten likely a really good return in the last 15 years from your equity gain. It’s not clear if you will continue to gain that much equity over the next 15.


    As it pertains to the 1031, my advice would be to have another property tee’d up and ready to go. Selling into a 1031 exchange without another property under contract ready to go is stressful!

  • San Diego · Member since 2017 · 23 posts · 5 votes
    5y

    Thank you Leo.  This is exactly the kind of insight I was hoping for when I posted. 

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