Last Updated on December 22, 2021 by Kravelv
Owning a fourplex is not for the faint of heart. It takes time, money and patience to maintain, but it can be very lucrative if you have the right knowledge on how to properly manage your investment property. In this article, we will discuss some of the pros and cons of owning a fourplex.
Pro: Money Making Opportunity
The main pro of owning a fourplex is the money-making opportunity. With proper management, you can easily rent out all four units and generate a nice monthly income. This can be a great way to make some extra money, especially if you are already living in one of the units.
Con: Increased Responsibility
With increased responsibility comes increased work. Managing a fourplex can be a lot of work, especially if you are not prepared for it. You will need to be on top of things like repairs, maintenance, and tenant relations in order to avoid any major problems down the road.
Pro: Stable Investment
As with most real estate investments, buying a fourplex is one of the best types of investment because it is very stable. Stocks are extremely volatile and usually have major highs and lows, making them an unstable form of income. Investments in bonds are not as risky but will only give you a small return on your money. With a fourplex, you can rest assured that your investment is relatively safe and will give you a steady return month after month.
Con: More Time and Money Involved
Maintaining a fourplex can be a lot more work than maintaining a single-family home. You will need to make sure all the units are kept in good condition, and you will also need to keep up with the landscaping and common areas. This can be a lot of work, and it can also be costly if you need to hire a professional to take care of things for you.
Pro: Tax Breaks
One of the best things about owning a fourplex is the tax breaks that come with it. As an investment property, a fourplex allows you to write off a significant portion of your mortgage each year, as well as some other related costs. Depending on the interest rate and how much you pay in taxes, this can be a great way to save money on your yearly tax return.
Con: Higher Insurance Costs
Another con is that owning a fourplex will usually result in having to pay higher insurance premiums than you would if you only had a single-family home. This is because the insurance company sees a fourplex as being a higher risk since there is more that can go wrong with it.
Pro: Potential for Appreciation
Over time, a fourplex can potentially appreciate in value, allowing you to sell it at a higher price than you paid for it. This is not always the case, but it is something to keep in mind if you are looking for a long-term investment.
Con: More Difficult to Sell
On the other hand, it can also be more difficult to sell a fourplex than a single-family home. There are not as many people out there who are looking to buy a fourplex, and this means you will need to make some upgrades in order to attract potential buyers.
Pro: Increased Security
One of the benefits of living in a fourplex is the increased security. With multiple units, you have more people watching out for each other and reporting any suspicious activity.
Con: Potential for Tenant Disputes
Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of renting out a fourplex is the potential for tenant disputes. This can be a problem if you have tenants who do not get along or if they do not pay their rent on time, as both of these situations will create tension between them and could result in legal issues.
Pro: Potential to Build Wealth
In conclusion, there are many reasons why owning a fourplex is beneficial. It will allow you to make an extra income and build up your wealth, but it can also be a lot of work and create some issues with tenants.
Con: Increased Property Taxes
If the property values in your area go up, this could lead to increased property taxes for you as well. If this happens and you cannot pass the costs onto your tenants, then you will need to cover it yourself. This can be a problem if your expenses go up but your income does not.
In conclusion, owning a fourplex is one of the best investments you can make. They are relatively safe and will allow you to build wealth over time as well as provide some tax breaks. That said, there are also cons that come along with this type of investment such as increased insurance costs and tenant disputes which could lead to legal issues if not handled properly.
Final Words
It is important to weigh the pros and cons of purchasing and owning a fourplex as it is an expensive and time-consuming investment. However, if done correctly, a fourplex can be a great way to generate income and build wealth for you and your family.
