I want to buy my landlord's duplex. Anyone done this before??

[Ben Rice]

I am currently renting one side of a duplex here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm basically on the flip side of the exact situation I want to be in. I'd be very happy owning the duplex and renting out the other side. My landlord also has a garage that her son lives in. Curious if anyone on BP has ever bought the house that they were renting and what that process was like. Do you think it's something I could approach her with at some point? She is an older woman, around 60, who is retired. But I could tell online that she bought the house back in 2011 for $650k. So even though I'm sure she's comfortable in the current situation, she would stand to make a nice chunk of change on the appreciation and could probably find a small condo for half that amount. Any and all thoughts/comments are appreciated!

[Garrett Beecher]

@Ben Rice Anyone is willing to sell at the right price. You should definitely run some numbers and see what your top purchase price is that will still get you the cash flow situation you want. 

In terms of approaching your landlord, I would just be candid and tell her that if she were open to selling you'd love a crack at it.