When to Convert a Multifamily to a Single?/Deal Analysis

[Matthew Hertz]

I am very close to purchasing this duplex in Eugene, Oregon: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3703-Willamette-... But instead of holding it as a rental, I'm more interested in doing a fix and flip primarily because it will only be my second deal ever and I can't afford to buy more than one home at this point. So in order to make the selling process presumably faster, among a list of other reasons, I started pondering the idea of converting it back to it's original state of being a single family home. I got my contractor to come out to the place, and he said it would be as easy as knocking out one wall and then converting the second kitchen to a laundry room. This would then make it a 5/2 ~2,700 sqft house on a .20 acre corner lot, as opposed to an awkward, poorly converted, 2/1 & 3/1 that is forced to share an outside laundry, undivided backyard, and a single waterheater. But my Realtor strongly disagrees, he rants about how it is a waste of time, too much of a hassle, and will drop the value, even though the CMA he gave me was nothing but an overly optimistic list price, and all single family comparable's.

So my question is, when is it appropriate to convert a multi back to a single? Is my Realtor right, should I just pursue this deal as a duplex flip? Any advice is greatly appreciated.