Building a Duplex in Michigan

[Cyle Lublin]

I currently live in Southeast Michigan (closer to Ann Arbor) and I was wondering what the potential/options are for building a new duplex to "house hack" (live in one, rent the other)? I know it will probably depend on the city and whether they'd allow construction, but I was wondering if anyone has had experience building new multi-family homes within the past 5-10 years. 

I simply cannot find anything worth purchasing on the MLS/Realtor websites that fit my criteria.

Any recommendations for the following would be greatly appreciated...

- Most cost-effective location to build

- Builders

- Design/Planning/Architecture

I'm sure there's a reason why there aren't a lot of new multi-families being constructed...I'm hopeful this might lead to something though!

[Jim D.]

I have no experience with new construction costs, but my aunt just built a duplex and said she came out underwater on it right out of the gates (it's worth less on the market than she spent building it). Of course that's not always the result, but it's not easy to build cost-effectively and well, especially without experience.