Buy a duplex or rent our bedrooms?

[Jonathan Feliciano]

Hi BP,

Pretty soon, I will be buying my first property. I was thinking of buying a duplex and house hacking it. However, in my market, it's difficult to find an affordable duplex. Therefore, I've been considering buying cheaper 2 bed 2 bath SFR, with intentions to rent out one of the units.

1. Do you think it's better to buy a duplex or rent out a unit?

2. For those of you that have rented out a unit, what has been your experience doing this?