All Forum Posts by: Gulnoza Bobokalonova

@Paul Merriwether rom all the research and tours we've done thru videos we are rethinking about investing into a Duplex in Oakland. We might consider Berkeley but it probably will be out of our budget. 

We will have ~120k for downpayment. We have been told that there are lenders who can accommodate <15% of downpayment for duplexes. 

All, I am very often finding duplexes that have both units tenant occupied in Oakland, CA. 

1. Is this the usual deal? 

2. I have asked Redfin agents to get back to me with 'buying out' options about current tenants and never heard back from them. I am wondering now if it is even possible in Oakland to have tenants move out with a new building owner? 

3. When investing in duplex, I will have to invest as 'owner occupied' and live there at least 1 year in order to have lower downpayment. Does it mean that I can only be looking for a duplex that has at least one free unit? 

Thank you all for some insights! I think we established that I should not stop and keep looking for a good deal :) 

Hello BP! I am finally ready to ask some questions after some time of research. I hope there are people that can help me. 

Situation: my family(me, my hubby and 1.5 yo son) are moving back to California in the begging of January 2022. We want some sunshine in our lives. We temporarily moving to my parents place, but will be actively looking for our first home. I recently came up with an idea to invest into a duplex instead of SFH which could help us pay mortgage. I want to start off with a duplex just to get my feet wet and see what it's like to manage a property. Also I doubt we will qualify for a triplex or fourplex price...

Questions: 

1. Am I crazy to buy a house now in such red hot market? Should I wait? 

2. Is it real to buy a duplex for <1M in Oakland area? 

3. We talked to a loan officer in our local bank and what we qualify for is max $970,000. And he said that if we are getting a duplex and plan to live there we have to pay 15% of downpayment. Is 15% downpayment for duplexes is a usual thing in any banks? Anyone knows a better bank that doesn't require 15% downpayment for duplexes? 

4. Is Oakland a good REI place? Which areas are better for us to look at considering we have a child? My husband really wants to live there - he loves the area since he lived there for a long time, but from all the horror(fake news...?) stories of what is going on there I'm not sure... 

I have many more questions but let's start with these :)