Flipping a duplex?

[Casey S.]

I’m about to close on a great deal on a C class 2/1 duplex. I was planning to keep it for a rental but I found another great deal and one of them will need to go.

It’s empty now and really doesn’t need much work but I plan to polish it up some first. I already have a tenant waiting to move into one side. Do I want to rent the other side out so it will appeal better to investors or do I want to make one side slightly nicer and leave it empty so it will appeal to an owner occupant that’s interested in it doubling as an investment? Leaving it empty would also allow me to keep one side looking nice and always available for showings.

It’s on a street with approx 30 duplexes in an otherwise single family area.

Its not financed so carrying cost are low.

Any thoughts or experiences?