Help with duplex, BRRRR or continue renting

[Luka Jozic]

I am under contract on a duplex in the 44102 area at 66K that has been cited for lead by the city. My initial idea was to buy cash, vacate the property, and do a BRRRR (the property needs a decent amount of work) and refinance asap and find my next deal. However, it seems like I have the option to do conventional and since the property has tenants in both units paying like $600/mo each, I was thinking is it better to maybe do a conventional and bump the rent to maybe $750 a month? If I do that, I can't do a cash out refinance for a year. Sure I will have more money in my pocket, but I wont have enough to buy something else cash until I save some more. Additionally, if one (or worse, both) tenants move out then I will have to put money into making it rent ready, but I won't be able to refinance for another year meaning even more of my money will be tied up. I guess one solution to that is to see if I can get them both to sign a new 1 year lease but that might be hard before I take ownership. I do know both tenants want to stay, but Im not sure how they would feel about a rent bump.

Rates right now for a cash out refi are around 6.5% with 2 points which is pretty good. I don't know what they might be in a year. Im really not sure what the best play is here as I feel like there are pros and cons with either decision.