10 things to consider before buying a duplex

Let’s talk about duplex homes.

But first, let’s define ‘duplex’.

A duplex is a residence of two homes. It’s a single structure with a common central wall, but usually separate driveways, gardens and other features you’d expect from a home.

Sometimes the two homes exist on one land title, and can be owned and sold together. Sometimes separate titles exist, which means they can be individually owned and sold.

Either way, the duplex makes for an interesting property investment opportunity – but is often overlooked by Australian investors.

A duplex offers great advantages, including:

• Reduced build costs
• Lower council rates
• Lower stamp duty
• Lower insurance costs

But as with any property investment, there are some things to consider.

10 things to think about in duplex property investment

1. Duplexes are a high growth and high yield investment, but with that comes higher risks than just buying an existing house or individual house and land package.

2. A duplex is a positively geared investment with the potential to create equity in a calculated way.

3. Buying purely on price tag can be a pitfall - you get what you pay for.

4. You must have the capacity to cover a 20 per cent deposit, i.e. $100-$150,000 in equity. It can be achieved with a lower deposit, but that would create higher risk (discuss this with your advisor).

5. You must be able to service a large loan.

6. A duplex is great for someone who is time-poor and wants to invest strategically.

7. A duplex creates the ability to fast-track your wealth, so it’s a great option for retirees.

8. You have the option to rent and achieve an ongoing high-interest return.

9. Only certain councils will allow duplexes. NSW and Queensland are more favourable towards duplexes because of population growth.

10. Seeking help from professionals means you don’t have to do it all by yourself. You can save time and avoid mistakes.

To my mind, a duplex is the smart way to invest. It has the ability to generate equity quickly and provide a higher rental yield per square metre.

A duplex property maximises the potential of the land and does not require subdivision for two properties to be built. The greatest advantage of a duplex is the ability to create equity quickly with a high rate of return on investment.

Of course, investing in property is not one-size-fits-all. The list above will help you understand what to consider when investing in a duplex so you can begin to decide if it’s the best option for you.