Purchasing my first duplex: Do’s and Don’ts, tips, etc.

[Nathan Gamez]

Good evening to all!

I am looking into buying my first duplex as a house hack. I am currently 21 years old and will be starting up school in the Fall again. I have been doing some learning and researching for the past couple of months. Though, I understand I am still very naive to real estate investing, I believe the only way to properly learn and educate yourself is to get your feet wet. I am currently serving part-time in the ILNG, so using a VA loan is a possibility. I live in Dekalb County and have been looking around the area. However, I am leaning more towards Kane County and DuPage County. What I am looking for is mainly guidance and some sort of mentorship if that is possible. Let me know your insights on what I can and can't do or should and shouldn't do. Any thoughts and tips would be very helpful. Thanks!

[Nathan Gamez]

@Jonathan Klemm - So the reason I want to look in Kane and DuPage County is because there seems to be more options and more properties in those locations. They are of higher value and would probably rent for more than Dekalb would. I will also be attending College Of DuPage in the Fall so that’s a dilema I am trying to overcome as well. Though, that all depends on how future classes will hold up due to the pandemic.

I am not too worried about cash flow to begin with. I understand you have to learn and start somewhere first, but I have not had any luck finding a duplex in Dekalb. 

I have however found new duplexes in Kane county so I have debated on leaning more towards those.

My question now is would I be better off sticking with old construction or be better getting new construction?