Buying a duplex home is an option that many people do not consider when looking at real estate options, especially first-time homeowners. However, these types of houses are a smart investment choice that can benefit you in the future. Of course, like any real estate investment, you need to have solid knowledge about what works and what doesn’t.
To make matters easy for you, Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has listed the pros and cons of living in a duplex.
Duplex Definition
According to the housing dictionary, a duplex is a multi-storey property with two attached living units in the same building. They are either next to each other or above each other like apartments. Both living units have separate entrances but they share a common central wall.
Types of Duplex
There are different types of duplexes, which are as follows.
Single Storey Duplex
In the single storey duplex, the building has two units that are stacked next to each either. There are no stairs in this type of duplex.
Double Storey/Side-By-side Duplex
In this type, there are two floors that are stacked next to each other. There is a common centre wall and separate entrance for both occupants living in this type of duplex.
Double Storey/Up-and-Down Duplex
This type of duplex has two separate units that are above each other. In this type of building, you may have to share the entrance with another person. However, this can depend on the design of the duplex.
Duplex vs. Apartment
One of the biggest advantages of living in a duplex is that they have more space compared to an apartment. You get more privacy as well as additional amenities that you typically would not find in an apartment (such as a washer/dryer).
However, the one major difference between both is that you won’t be able to find duplex in the city as easily as apartments. They are commonly located in the suburbs and outskirts of the urban areas.
A duplex is a great real estate investment option that has numerous benefits compared to traditional single-family houses or apartments. However, living in this multi-storey building has its own advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before making a decision.
Pros of Living in a Duplex Home
Following are some of the advantages of living in a duplex.
- More Space than an Apartment
- Cheaper than Renting a House
- More Privacy
- Front or Backyard to Enjoy
- In-House Washing Area
- Single or Two Storeys Residential Units
- Home-Like Amenities
- More Customization Freedom
- Less Costly
- Ideal for Joint Family
More Space than an Apartment
The best thing about having a duplex is that you get more living space as compared to flats or apartments. There are attached garages, gardens etc. that can help residents live more comfortably.
Cheaper than Renting a Home
The perks of living in a duplex are similar to living in a rental unit but at a much lower cost.
More Privacy
You have a lot more privacy in a duplex unit as there is only one neighbour who is living next to you. You don’t have to share any spaces or elevators as you do in an apartment.
Front or Backyard to Enjoy
In most apartments in the city, you don’t get an open outside area to sit with friends and family. On the other hand, a duplex usually has attached balconies.
In-House Washing Area
In apartments, there is a shared area to do your laundry. But, in the case of duplex apartments, you have your own private area for washing and drying your clothes.
Single or Two Storeys Residential Unit
The duplexes can be of a single storey or double storey – in either case, you would not need to climb a lot of stairs or wait for the elevator to reach your place, like how it is with apartments.
Home-Like Amenities
Many duplexes offer the amenities you get in a traditional home such as a backyard, garage, spacious room, laundry area or a driveway. These amenities aren’t available in apartments and, when they are, the buying or renting costs are usually expensive.
More Customization Freedom
Most apartments are owned by a property management company that doesn’t allow the tenants to make changes in the apartments. However, duplexes are owned by private landlords, which makes it easy for you to make changes to the interior.
Less Costly
If you want to experience the luxury of buying real estate in a quality neighbourhood, then you should use duplexes. They are less expensive than an entire house and offer many amenities that you don’t get in apartments.
So, it is better to buy these houses as they don’t use up all your finances. For example, If you have taken a loan to buy the property, then you can rent out the house to get a monthly income for paying the loan instalments.
Ideal for Joint Family
Duplexes are great for joint family systems as they get to live together but also get the privacy that they need.
Cons of Living in a Duplex Home
Below are some of the disadvantages of a duplex home.
- Not Easily Available
- Doing Maintenance Work Yourself
- Living Next to your Landlord
- More Expensive than Apartments
- Noise
Not Easily Available
Duplex buildings aren’t easily available in the real estates market like apartments and traditional houses. Most of the duplexes are located on the outskirts of urban areas, which is why you won’t find them in the main city. If you’re looking for a place that should be close to the city, then it is better to look for apartment buildings.
Doing Maintenance Work Yourself
These duplex houses are owned by private landlords and it is their responsibility to carry out all the maintenance work. Usually, the units must share maintain costs with one another. However, any delay from the landlord’s side would result in the tenant taking care of the maintenance work instead.
Living Next to your Landlord
Many duplex owners live in one of the units to pay for the mortgage or to get rental income. With landlords living in such close proximity, there is a high chance that it can lead to conflicts. Hence, it is important to know about your tenant rights beforehand.
More Expensive than Apartments
Duplexes offer more space and amenities compared to apartments but they usually are much more expensive. So, if you have a limited budget and want to live near the city, then you should probably buy or rent out an apartment.
Noise
Duplex houses have a common wall, and if it is not well insulated, there is a high chance that you would have to put up with noise disturbance from the neighbouring unit. If you like to read more about finding the right property for you, follow Graana.com.
FAQs
Are duplexes a good investment?
Yes, duplexes can be a good investment because they offer potential for rental income and can appreciate in value over time. Additionally, if you live in one half of the duplex and rent out the other, you can offset your mortgage costs with rental income.
Is a duplex considered an apartment?
A duplex is not considered an apartment in the traditional sense. An apartment building usually contains multiple units with a common entrance, while a duplex has two separate units with their own entrances.
Can a duplex be sold separately?
Yes, a duplex can be sold separately as two individual units. This means that each half of the duplex can be sold as its own property.
Are duplexes cheaper than apartments?
Duplexes can be cheaper than apartments in some cases, as they are typically smaller than apartment buildings and may have fewer amenities.
Who invented the duplex house?
It is unclear who specifically invented the duplex house, as the concept of a shared-wall building has been around for centuries. However, the modern duplex as we know it today became popular in the United States in the early 20th century.
Are duplexes considered multi-family?
Yes, duplexes are considered multi-family housing because they contain more than one dwelling unit.
Is a duplex a townhouse?
No, a duplex is not a townhouse. A townhouse is a type of single-family home that shares a wall with one or more other homes, while a duplex is a multi-family home that contains two separate units.
Who builds duplex homes?
Duplex homes can be built by a variety of construction companies, from small-scale builders to larger development firms.
Do duplexes have backyards?
Some duplexes may have a backyard, while others may not. It depends on the specific property and the preferences of the builder or owner.
Do duplexes have separate water meters?
Some duplexes may have separate water meters for each unit, while others may not. It depends on the specific property and the building codes in the area.
Are duplexes hard to sell?
Like any property, the ease of selling a duplex can depend on a variety of factors such as location, condition, and local real estate market conditions. However, duplexes can be attractive to buyers who are looking for rental income opportunities or who want to live in one unit and rent out the other.
Do duplexes have basements?
Some duplexes may have basements, while others may not. It depends on the specific property and the builder’s or owner’s preferences.
Do duplexes lower property value?
Duplexes do not necessarily lower property values. In fact, well-maintained duplexes can appreciate in value over time and can be an attractive option for buyers who are looking for rental income opportunities.
Is it better to buy a house or a duplex?
It depends on your personal preferences and financial situation. If you are looking for rental income opportunities or want to offset your mortgage costs with rental income, a duplex may be a good option. However, if you are looking for a larger single-family home or more privacy, a traditional house may be a better fit.
