Buying a duplex for the short-term

[Jesse Holmes]

I couldn't supply BP with a tasty subject line this time, so I hope that you, starving, will still offer some advice and opinions.

The fourplex deal we were working has fallen through. Our lender miscalculated the amount of entitlement I have in my VA loan. This brought the amount of zero-down financing I can access down to $273k from $304k. I know there are other ways to find the missing $31k, but while I am doing that, I wanted to get your opinion on another option we are considering.

The duplexes in our area simply don't work for us. Many of them are priced near $250k or $275k, and I can't see myself buying half as many units for such a puny price difference. There are few on the market now that ring up for considerably less, but they still aren't priced to profit.

Here's the question: Would it be wise to buy one of the latter so that we can live rent-free (or darn close)? It's not an investment strategy, per se, but more of a cost-of-living strategy.

It's a short-sided question. I know I can dig deeper and look for better deals, and I intend to. We are ready to rid ourselves of this hour commute. Parking the 'burb closer would save enough gas alone to help us save up for that economy car we so desperately need. I haven't quite convinced Amber that I can fit comfortably in a Smart Car.

Thanks in advance!