2 duplexes - double trouble?

[Tommy C.]

Hey BP,

Financing question here - I’m looking at buying a duplex in a college town and renting it out to college kids. There’s a seller who has two duplexes on the same street, one rented, one vacant, and I’m curious to hear suggestions on buying them both, as a package deal, or just buying one individually. The numbers make sense on both.

My problem is that I’d like to put down around 5% which would be possible buying the one but I’m not sure how to finance the second as I’d likely have to put down 20% being that it’s a second home / separate purchase.

Important to know that I’m a first time home buyer and could owner occupy one of them.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

-TC