Why duplex owners call us
A duplex looks simple on paper: two units, two rents. In real life it is often two different problems under one roof. These are the situations we hear most:
- One good tenant, one tenant who stopped paying
- An aging roof that is making insurance harder to renew
- You lived in one side and are moving on
- A family duplex nobody wants to manage anymore
- Deferred repairs that keep getting pushed to next year
Why a duplex is hard to sell the usual way
Most retail buyers need a mortgage. That means an appraisal, an inspection, and a lender who has to be comfortable with the building's condition. A roof near the end of its life, old electrical, or open permits can stall a loan for weeks or kill it outright.
Tenants complicate a listing too. Leases usually transfer with the sale, showings have to be coordinated around people's homes, and a tenant who does not want the building sold can make every visit harder.
When you sell to us, none of that has to happen first. We buy with cash, so there is no lender to satisfy, and we evaluate the property the way it stands today.
Occupied, half-vacant, or empty
We buy duplexes in every occupancy situation:
- Fully rented. Leases, deposits, and rent history transfer to us at closing.
- One side vacant. Common after a turnover that never got finished. We price the empty unit as it is.
- Owner-occupied on one side. You choose a move-out date that works for you.
- Fully vacant. Often the quickest to review because we can walk every room.
If you live in one of the units
Owner-occupied duplexes can carry homestead treatment on the part you live in, which can affect taxes and how a sale is handled. We are not tax advisors, so talk with your accountant before closing. We are glad to work around their timing.
What we look at
Our review focuses on the things that actually move the number:
- Rents, lease terms, and payment history for each unit
- Roof age and type, electrical panels, plumbing, and AC systems
- Open permits, code cases, and any liens
- Lot size, parking, and the neighborhood
Share what you know. If you do not have leases or repair records handy, that is fine. We work with what exists.
What you do not have to do
- Make repairs or pass an inspection
- Paint, clean, or remove belongings
- Ask tenants to leave
- Pay a listing commission
- Wait on a buyer's loan approval
Mortgage, back taxes, or liens? Still sellable.
Owing money on the property does not stop a sale. At closing, the title company pays off your mortgage, unpaid property taxes, and recorded liens from the sale proceeds, and you receive the balance.
- Existing mortgage. Paid off at closing from the proceeds.
- Unpaid property taxes. Delinquent taxes and any tax certificates are paid through title.
- Liens and judgments. Identified in the title search and resolved before the deed transfers.
If you are behind on payments or worried about what you owe, tell us early. The sooner we know, the more options there are.
Duplex problems we price in every day
- Two electric meters but one shared water line
- A converted garage or an added unit without permits
- Window AC units, old panels, or aluminum wiring
- Roof leaks patched for years instead of replaced
- Parking, drainage, or fence disputes with neighbors
None of these need to be fixed before you sell. Tell us about them and we will account for them up front, so the number does not change at the last minute.
