Why would a duplex be foreclosed on?

[Justen Ashcraft]

The question I am wondering is, why would I do better? How can someone fail at renting. Duplex? Did they not maintain tenants or the property?
I have the potential to purchase a duplex for about 60k in good shape. But if the previous owner failed what positive things should I be considering?

[Rob K.]

I always ask rental applicants on the phone why they are moving. (Some of the answers are suprising). Many of them state that they are paying their rent, but the landlord is not paying the mortgage. This happens all the time. Someone will buy a house or duplex, rent it out, now the value has dropped by half or more, so they stop paying on it. Hopefully they will get caught in the end. I hope that everyone who walked away from their mortgages will have to pay the bank back one day. This is also the reason why you pay a higher interest rate on a rental property than a primary residence. You're more likely to walk away from it.

I wouldn't worry about the previous owner or why he lost it. I would look at the duplex and make sure the numbers work and it's the building that you want.