Are duplex's a good investment?

My sister and I were told to buy a duplex and rent it out. Is now the time because the markets so bad? and if so how does that whole operation work? We have no experience whatsoever in this field but we were told for a tiny bit of income its worth it in the end? I'm 18 and she's 27 and she has money but i don't so i would hav eto do a loan, right? PLEASE help!

I have several Duplexes. they are money makers. But I also know how to do all the repairs, and they were in decent shape when purchased. One side paid the bills, while the other side paid me..

at 18, you may not be mature enough to enter this type of arrangement. Sis on the other hand is. Going Partners when only one has the money is a hard prospect.

It can be a good starter home. The rule of thumb nowadays for rental property is six times annual revenue for the apartment not including utilities.

So if you have a duplex renting for $1500 and $1000 that's $2,500 a month, or $30,000 a year revenue, so if you can find a place renting for that amount it's a good buy if it's under $180,000.

You will get better terms on the loan if one of you lives there for at least two or three years. If you don't live there, it will be a business investment and you will get like 10% interest, but as a starter home, you would be looking for something around 6%

Go for a 30 year loan, but try to make 13 payments a year. The extra payment will make it so it's actually a 15 year loan.