That would most likely raise the rents in the future and home prices.

@Heidi Dunn -- I appreciate your question because it's interesting to me, as a future landlord, to hear of some different scenarios around how tenants want to pay.  

If you wish to sign a new lease we can discuss options.Please let me know what your future plans are.You are welcome to call this home for as long as you like as you have been good tenants!

That way future leaks won't be so hard to detect or fix, plus a small leak won't lead to a bunch of mold before you notice it.

If it ever changed, I would just do it myself to save costs, but don't see it being something that will come up in the near future. 

We will be looking for other partners in the near future.

I started saving up to become a homeowner in the near future and that simply was not enough for me, I wanted more than just a mortgage to pay every month till I paid it off or moved to something bigger.

However, my question is if we need to file a claim in the future, will we be denied because this is a duplex and not a single family home.

I know the BP podcasts have a lot of info on investing out of state.I live in the Twin Cities myself and the idea has intrigued me although I do not think there is enough future appreciation potential in the smaller markets for me to invest right now.

What is the best way to shelter money from taxes and saving for future real estate investments?