Please scroll to the bottom of this page for a complete list of available inventory in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas!
Modern duplex located in Durham, NC
Multi-family homes can be a great investment, especially for those who are new to real estate investing. These types of properties are easy to understand for new investors. You expect that each unit will have its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and utility metering - in other words, the same amenities you’d find in a single-family home.
Investing in a duplex, triplex, or four-plex (quad) is our focus in this article because these types of properties are considered residential real estate and that makes financing a much simpler task than applying for a commercial real estate loan.
Buying a multi-family home offers you a host of options for renting out the units. Some people choose to live in one and rent out the other(s). Other families use them to house extended family, aging parents or adult children, for example. Family members keep their independence, but any help needed is just a few steps away!
There are both pros and cons to these types of units, as with any real estate investment. Individual investors will need to consider many factors when making a decision. On the plus side:
Beginning investors will usually have an easier time with financing in residential units of four and less. In fact, most lenders treat these smaller multifamily units as if they were a single-family home. They are seen as a lower-risk investment and thus more attractive to lenders.
An investment in multi-family properties will typically offer you a greater monthly cash flow than a single-family home. Having leases that renew on a 3, 6, 9, or 12-month cycle means that rents can be increased according to market demand.
Multi-family homes by definition have multiple rental revenue streams, so if you own a triplex, and one unit is empty, you are still collecting rents on the other two units to defray your mortgage costs. Typically, the combined rent from multi-family homes will beat out a single-family residence at the same price point.
As an additional bonus, multi-family homes have weathered past times of economic uncertainty better than almost any other type of real estate investment.
As housing prices have risen around the country - this is certainly true in the Raleigh / Durham area - many people who would be traditional home buyers find themselves priced out of the market. Some of those families are delaying their home purchase plans for now and renting instead.
It might seem logical that the price for a multi-family home is just a multiple of an individual unit, but in fact, there are economies of scale. The second unit of a duplex, for example, may be only 50% more than buying a single unit. Because of this the cash flow on duplexes and triplexes are almost always better than the cash flow on a single family residence. Also, if one unit goes unrented then you still have the rent coming in from the other unit at least.
A quad located in Raleigh, NC
If you aren’t interested in full-time management of your multi-family property, the alternate route is to hire a property management company. That option can be cost-prohibitive for a single-family dwelling but makes more sense if you have multiple units in one property.
“House hacking” is not a cyber weapon, but an advantage that works for some investors. Here’s how it works: when you live in one of the units of the multifamily residence, it’s possible that those tenants will essentially pay your mortgage and expenses for you. Eliminating your housing costs is a huge win in anyone’s budget, especially with the way housing prices have increased in the Raleigh / Durham area in the past decade.
“Owner-occupied” properties may also have advantages for financing with lower interest rates and lower down payments.
However, there are some disadvantages to living on-site, which brings us to the downsides of buying multi-family homes.
If you are an owner-occupied property, remember that your tenants will be looking for you if they have any issues. It’s your door they will be knocking on in the middle of the night when the pipes burst.
And of course, you’re sharing walls and other common areas with your tenants. There may be more “community” in this endeavor than you’re comfortable with, so keep that in mind.
Managing a multifamily unit requires a certain time commitment. You can mitigate this downside by hiring a property manager, but keep in mind you will still need to allocate some time as you, the owner, may need to visit the property for maintenance and repair requests.
As the owner, you will have to deal with individual leases, tenants of all personality types and communication styles. However, a multifamily property is still less work than managing a portfolio of single-family homes.
When it comes to renting out your units, you will be competing with larger apartment complexes, some of which have all amenities - pools, tennis courts, fitness areas. You may not be able to command the highest rent in some areas that have multiple apartment complexes; on the other hand, some renters do prefer quieter spaces and are happy to forego the “extras.”
The other competition with multi-family units can come from more experienced investors. This sometimes shuts new investors out of the market completely. One strategy used by beginning investors is to partner with more experienced investors to learn the ropes.
Rental units can be inconsistent in terms of vacancies and maintenance expenses; even property taxes can vary wildly in some markets from year to year. We have seen taxes go up in the Raleigh / Durham area in the past 10 years, mainly due to property values increasing.
Nearly all multi-family units need a little work when you purchase them since most are not owner-occupied. One of the important things to do is to get an independent home inspector to look at the units before completing the purchase. That way if there is a major repair issue you can either negotiate with the seller or back out of the contract.
Though multi-family homes such as a duplex or triplex are rare compared to single-family homes, there is usually at least some inventory in the Triangle area. Below you will find a complete list of multi-family homes for sale in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas.
Make sure to select the appropriate county that you would like to search in, or contact us for help. We have experience in small multi-family properties and can help with assessing the property’s value.
To view multi-family homes for sale in a specific community, follow these links:
!!!!!INVESTORS SPEICIAL!!!! Come see this beautifully remodeled duplex! Side A: 2 bed 1 bath Side B: 1 bed 1 bath Fully renovated with all new plumbing, HVAC, paint, wind...
This duplex is offered "AS IS"
Good Investment Property. Tenant occupied. Unit A rents for $295/month, Unit B rents for $400/month, Unit C rents for $575/month. Units A and B are month to month. Financ...
Good Investment Property. Tenant occupied. Unit A rents for $295/month, Unit B rents for $400/month, Unit C rents for $575/month. Units A and B are month to month. Financ...
Great investment property whether you choose to rent both units or live in one & rent the other to offset your monthly expenses. Could also be an opportunity for multi-ge...
Great investment property located in Historic Downtown Lumberton. Wrap yourself around this charming older home with many updated features. Located just a nice stroll fro...
All BRICK duplex nestled on .52 ACRE lot minutes to DOWNTOWN MEBANE; NEW ROOF 2023, CITY SERVICES without CITY TAXES; Large Corner lot; one side has New LVP flooring, New...
All BRICK duplex nestled on .52 ACRE lot minutes to DOWNTOWN MEBANE; NEW ROOF 2023, CITY SERVICES without CITY TAXES; Large Corner lot; one side has New LVP flooring, New...
GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERTIES! 3 Homes all rented on 2 parcels right in the great area of Four Oaks! Each home is tenant occupied. No restrictions. Country living in the he...
GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERTIES! 3 Homes all rented on 2 parcels right in the great area of Four Oaks! Each home is tenant occupied. No restrictions. Country living in the he...
Great Investment or 'House Hack' Opportunity in Wilson... Zoned Multi-Family Property being sold AS-IS (needs rehab) featuring 3 units (Triplex), with potential for each ...
Two properties being sold together - 3238 Princess Ann Dr and 3254 Princess Ann Dr. (vacant lot next door) 3238 Princess Ann has 5 Trailers included in sale, occupied and...
Great investment opportunity. All units are rented out with long term solid tenants updating has been done in 2 apts. All new plumbing done to the city line. Low mainten...
Great investment opportunity. All units are rented out with long term solid tenants updating has been done in 2 apts. All new plumbing done to the city line. Low mainten...
Downtown Dweller! Enjoy this nice duplex and convenience! You will be loving the downtown life in this beautifully restored downtown property! Just steps from Clinton's ...
Rare opportunity to acquire a spacious duplex located off of Country Club Drive. Very close to the VA Hospital, shopping, schools, etc. 1bed/1bath and 2bed/1bath duplex. ...
RARE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! Become the trend setter of a small neighborhood just now being touched by Durham's endless growth potential. This duplex offers 2bed 1bath f...
2 unit modern duplex available for sale. Duplex consists of 3bed/2 baths on unit B and unit A consists of 3 bed/1bath. Unit A is occupied on a one year lease for $1550/mo...
Welcome to a charming duplex nestled in the heart of the historic College Hill area. This well-maintained property features two distinct 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom units, offe...
Welcome to a charming duplex nestled in the heart of the historic College Hill area. This well-maintained property features two distinct 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom units, offe...
Price improvement!! Take advantage of an amazing opportunity to own not one but two duplexes at an amazing price! This lot holds two duplexes, so you will own FOUR un...
Brick exterior duplexes on flat usable lots, near the proposed new development at Heritage Square. Close to Downtown Durham between Southside and Hayti. These units have ...
Brick exterior duplexes on flat usable lots, near the proposed new development at Heritage Square. Close to Downtown Durham between Southside and Hayti. These units have ...
Welcome to an exceptional investment opportunity in Downtown Durham! This Multifamily Duplex, nestled on a single parcel, features two 756 sq ft units, each offering 2 be...
Water Front Property! Buffalo Lake allows power boats, pontoon boats, and jet skis. Unique floor plan with 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths. Home is set up like a duplex with 2 B...
DUPLEX! A rare opportunity to buy 2 Homes for one price! Live in 1 and Rent 1 or 2 Great Rentals! Both units are 2 Bedrooms/2 Baths! WALK to all Downtown Bunn has to offe...
4 unit townhouse/quad located off of Raeford road. Each unit consists of 2 bedroom/2.5bath. One tenant occupied unit, $900/month. Property located close to shopping, rest...
This old historic home has been converted into a rooming house. The manager lives in the property. Three large bedrooms rooms each rent for $160/week ($640/month) and the...
Excellent opportunity for the savvy investor/builder to acquire two duplexes with easy value add component. Simply raise rents to market rate. These duplexes are situated...
Incredible Investment Opportunity! 4 Acres of prime Commercial Land strategically located less than 1 mile from US-1. Currently has 3084 SQ FT Triplex w/ 3 vacant units (...
Beautiful brick 3 bed, 3 bathroom town home. Main floor owners suite, second bedroom on the lower level. stunning open concept lower level with granite counters, stainle...
Great investment opportunity! Duplex in N. Raleigh minutes to shopping, restaurants, parks, hospitals and highways. Both units are rented until summer of 2024. Granite co...
Great investment opportunity! Duplex in N. Raleigh minutes to shopping, restaurants, parks, hospitals and highways. Both units are rented until summer of 2024. Granite co...
3 homes all rented on one parcel which totals 2.85 acres Great location to the new Amazon and easy access to Raleigh. Great Investment property. You can live in 1 home a...
Duplex. 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms each side. Tenant occupied on month to month leases. Tenants pay utilities Roof replaced in ~2020 Left side has a new HVAC as of Sep...
Seven unit apartment complex available. All units are two bedroom one bathroom with washer/dryer connections. Range, range hood and refrigerators in each unit. Some units...
Duplex in the heart of Raleigh! Walking distance to Downtown Raleigh restaurants, bars, and more! Each unit is 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom. Duplex has previously been used as a...
This charming duplex presents a fantastic investment opportunity or a comfortable living arrangement with an added income stream. Each unit offers a well-designed layout ...
Amazing investment property with 3800K a month in rent. Off street parking. Great location. Long time tenant with excellent rental history. Right beside of the Wallto...
Amazing investment property with 3800K a month in rent. Off street parking. Great location. Long time tenant with excellent rental history. Right beside of the Wallto...
Multi- Unit home in the heart of Downtown Raleigh. Unique Historic Oakwood home is being used as 4 apartments. 3630 total sq feet. Home is zoned OX-3. No representation ...
Multifamily property with tenants in place in transitioning area minutes from downtown Durham. Six units total - 3 buildings - each a duplex. 5 of the 6 units have tenant...
Multi- Unit home in the heart of Downtown Raleigh. Unique Historic Oakwood home is being used as 4 apartments. 3630 total sq feet. Home is zoned OX-3. No representation ...
Excellent quad on a large corner lot near Durham's Downtown zip code, yet walkable to the East Village. These units have been remodeled in the last few years and have a g...
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES: In this established very quiet SUNSET HILLS community off of Wade Ave ITB build 1-2 homes. Bring your builder for a CUSTOM LUXURY MODERN creation! ...
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES: In this established very quiet SUNSET HILLS community off of Wade Ave ITB build 1-2 homes. Bring your builder for a CUSTOM LUXURY MODERN creation! ...
This multifamily opportunity consists of two dwellings, unit B and unit C. Each with their own parking and yard space. Completely modern designed signal family home! Op...
Great opportunity for investment in Raleigh. All one level, brick contruction with dedicated parking. Easy access to Capital Blvd., downtown Raleigh and the I-540 corri...
This property is selling for land value..Improvements go with the property in as is condition and are not being shown without 48 hrs. notice and a prequalification letter...
2 Triplexes , total of 6 units with 3bd/2ba units , 100% occupied with total current income $6000 .00 month.Owner pays water sewer trash as there is one meter for all six...
Come explore the possibilities for your next investment! The opportunities for this almost 1/2 acre lot are endless! Incredible potential to either explore re-zoning in t...
Fully Leased!!! Beautiful, well maintained 4 unit Apartment with circular driveway. NEW ROOF AND EXTERIOR PAINT 2023! Unit A is NEWLY RENOVATED AND UPDATED from top to b...
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! 3 Duplexes located on private road about 5-6 miles from UNCP. These units are maintained by the owner and managed by 1ST CHOICE REAL ESTATE. Each ...
Discover an exceptional real estate opportunity in the heart of Cary, North Carolina – a versatile triplex with the added advantage of commercial zoning, all set on a 1.2...
Don't miss out on this multi-units property. It needs work sell as is. Each unit has its own Parking area out side. 1.2 acres lots with one building with all 16 apar...
Great wooded cul de sac! 1.5 miles to downtown. BACK TO BACK Duplex. Unit A has all bedrooms up. Granite Kitchen open to Great Room. 8-foot Kitchen Island. HUGE walki...
5 DETACHED HOMES (2 rented) and a 6th vacant lot ready to build, each with Family room, 2 Bed rooms, 1FB on 2.33 acres of prime land off New Bern Ave, close to Wake Med a...
Brand new luxury duplex with a bonus 2-bedroom Luxury ADU, creating a total of 3 units, situated in a sought-after SE Raleigh neighborhood just minutes from downtown Rale...
Brand new luxury duplex with a bonus 2-bedroom Luxury ADU, creating a total of 3 units, situated in a sought-after SE Raleigh neighborhood just minutes from downtown Rale...
This stunning brick multi-generational home is nestled on a 3-acre wooded lot on a no-outlet street in Chapel Hill. Two homes in one with superior quality and meticulous ...
Back on the market due to no fault of the sellers. Calling all investors! Excellent investment opportunity. There are 12 units that have titles in hand and 2 units that a...
Rare opportunity for new construction duplex! Modern design and functional living in this plan designed by Dynamic Design Group and built by Grayson Homes. Each unit wi...
Property is in overall average condition. All units rented. Highest & best use is probably not current use. Priced for potential/future use, teardown/rebuild. .34 acre...
Rare opportunity for new construction duplex! Modern design and functional living in this plan designed by Dynamic Design Group and built by Grayson Homes. Each unit wi...
Back on the market due to no fault of the sellers. Calling all investors! Excellent investment opportunity. There are 12 units that have titles in hand and 2 units that a...
Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2023 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .