Duplex - half full time / half VRBO

[Jeff Bethke]

Has anyone ever kept one half of a duplex for VRBO/personal vacation use and rented the other to a full time tenant? I can think of several issues, but wanted the community thoughts as well. Thanks!

[Andy Plattner]

I bought a 1/2 of a duplex 19 years ago and just purchased the other half in March.  Until This March, I lived in it and then did long term rentals until about two years ago and started using VRBO short term (I am very close to the Beach).  Once I bought the other side (which has a pool, i did not) , I tore down the middle dividing fence, opened up the back yard and now rent the entire duplex (now 6 bedrooms vs 3) to families that want to vacation together.  I entertain big groups such as multiple families and group events (conventions, showers, parties, etc.)  I now own 4 different properties (2 duplexes serving as vacation rentals to one party, one bedroom condo and one long term rental)  but the most successful are the duplexes used as vacation homes using VRBO.  I will not rent the duplexes to two different parties unless it is from Nov thru Feb, which we cater to the retired people wanting 30 day rentals but I will not put two different families sharing the same back yard.  That spells disaster.