What is a Duplex House? Exploring Layouts and Benefits

If you have a stable job, it is only logical to invest your hard-earned cash in real estate. A duplex house can be seen as an incredible investment option, especially because of the many advantages it has over traditional flats and apartments. A duplex home is essentially a two-story building having complete apartments with separate entrances on each floor. A duplex is often referred to as an epitome of luxury and style. In this article, you will complete information on duplex house vs flat.

What is Duplex House?

Duplex house meaning: A duplex is defined as a multi-family housing unit within a single building, arranged in a variety of arrangements. This means you may see a wide variety of interesting combinations of side-by-side or ones stacked on top of each other creatively. Given a duplex building houses two units, each has a separate entrance, despite being interconnected from the inside via stairs or simply doors. The two housing units are typically the same in size. Note that duplex homes are not the same as twin homes, as twin homes are kind of half-a-home on each of their respective plots, whereas, a duplex property is typically on a single plot. Duplexes can have single or dual owners, meaning there is a shared interest in amenities and ownership.

Types of Duplex Houses

While the designs can vary in many creative ways, there are essentially three types of duplex houses:

Single Storey

This is where you have two single-storey units stacked side-by-side on the ground floor, and you do not have any stairs to climb
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Double Storey – Up & Down

This is where you have a unit above and below the structure, separating each unit on a different floor. This is beneficial for people who may like to sleep with windows open and find the ground floor insecure.

Double Storey – Side-by-Side

This is where you have two storeys with side-by-side duplexes and sharing a common wall. Here the privacy of both the units is completely maintained by building more units upward in half a plot.

Duplex flat vs Apartment – Why Choose a Duplex House Rather Than a Flat or Apartment?

A duplex vs flat – which should you go for? Well, if you want to upgrade your standard of living, you might want to consider buying a beautiful duplex house. With plenty of benefits to offer, owning a duplex will never disappoint you.  Let’s take a look at some of the unique benefits it has over flats and apartments. 

Duplex vs apartment

1. Get All the Privacy You Need in Duplex House

Most duplex houses come with high-end facilities and open spaces like courtyards or gardens, which will ultimately offer you a sense of comfort that no other housing can provide. With a complete back and front entrance, you will have plenty of privacy for you and your family. 

2. You Don’t Have to Exhaust All Your Finances!

Yes, you can get yourself a duplex home in an affordable neighbourhood.  If you want the feel of luxury without exhausting your bank balance, buying a duplex would be your best shot. Check out some less expensive areas to find a beautiful two-storey home for your family. 

By owning one of these beauties, you will also have the option to rent out either one of the units. For a person who has taken a bank loan, receiving a rental income every month could act as a financial cushion to ease out the mortgage payment.  
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3. Rent It to Your Family Member!

If you have family members who need a place to live, you can rent it out to them. Sometimes, you have to take care of the elderly in your family. By renting one floor to them, you will be able to offer extra care and supervision without letting it hamper your sense of privacy. 

Such a kind of living situation works wonderfully for many families. With a duplex house, you can have your family members close to you while maintaining your sense of independence.   

4. Get to Pay Half of Your Mortgage!

When you buy a duplex, you could have a tenant to help you out with the monthly mortgage payments. Even with a small duplex house, the mortgage can create a dent in your finances. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Most people who buy a duplex can rent out one half of it to tenants in order to pay at least half of their mortgage cost. 

It entirely depends on your mortgage situation, however having such an advantage couldn’t do any harm. You could even use the money to pay off your mortgage way more quickly. It is definitely something worth considering! 
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5. Rent It to Anybody!

Another one of the benefits of owning a duplex house would be the fact that you can rent it to anybody. In most apartment complexes, you are stuck with having neighbours whom you may not like very much. Seeing their faces every day can be absolutely dreadful. 

However, it doesn’t have to be that way with a duplex. You will have total control over who is going to live next to you. Even living in a small duplex house is an upgrade from a single flat or apartment. 

6. Make It your Home Office/Guest House!

It isn’t always necessary to rent out the other half of your small duplex house. Instead, you could use that space in many different ways. You can turn it into a guest home where your family members and friends stay when they come to visit you. 

You could also make it your home office, particularly when you have the luxury to work from work. Many times, we don’t feel like commuting. In such instances, having a home office could work in your favour. There are countless ways in which you could utilize the space. All you need is some creativity, and ideas will start overflowing. 
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7. Keep an Eye on Your Rental Property!

Many people who rent out their properties to tenants do not stay close to them. Therefore, it is impossible to keep a close eye on them now and then. However, it won’t be the same while living in a duplex house. As you will live close to your tenants, you can watch out for things that could have easily gone unseen. In addition, tenants will also be less likely to damage your property, given the fact that you will live right next to them. It is definitely a win-win scenario for you. 

Read: How To Retain Tenants In Simple Ways

8. Train Yourself to be A Landlord!

If you are planning on entering the market of real estate investments, you might want to start with a duplex home. It will offer a great learning experience, especially if you plan on being a landlord. 

You will learn how to deal with tenants, formulate leases, and so on. The experience you gather will be priceless, which can be useful in the long run if you want to build your wealth through real estate investments. 

9. Your First-Step Towards Settling Down!

If you are thinking of settling down in life, owninga duplex could offer a great way to test your waters. A duplex will offer more responsibilities than a flat, but it won’t be as overwhelming as a single-family home. By owning a duplex, you will get the taste of being a homeowner. However, the responsibilities are going to be at a smaller scale as compared to any single-family home. 

10. Sell Your Property Easily!

Both the units of a duplex are usually well-equipped with separate entrances, washrooms, balconies, and kitchens. Therefore, such properties are known to have an excellent resale value which also includes a faster appreciation rate. As duplexes are among the top real estate investments, you will always have people who will buy your property willingly at an attractive price. 

Pros And Cons of Duplex Houses

If you are vying for a duplex because of its style and benefits, you should first go through the pros and cons of duplex. Duplex structures make the most of the land space by building towards the top and not outside. This means even if they cost more than a single-family dwelling, building double home units on a single plot of land breaks down the net payment for two families. Therefore, if you invest in a duplex, cost-efficacy will remain a common advantage. But what are the duplex house disadvantages as well? Be sure to check out the quick list below:

Advantages of Duplex Houses

• You can collect rent from a tenant to help pay out your home or mortgage loan
• Duplex in a less pricey neighbourhood can be extremely cost-effective
• The second duplex unit can be used for many purposes, including converting into a home office
• A duplex home can be ideal for a joint family or a guest who can stay together with privacy

Disadvantages of Duplex Houses

• Renting out a unit means you need to be prepared for the hassles of tenant management including maintenance, noise, ensuring verification of tenants etc.
• Renting out also means ensuring rental income is secured every month on time

Get the Inside Scoop: The Pros and Cons of Living in a Duplex Home

What is a duplex home and how is it different from an apartment?

A duplex home is a two-story house that is divided into two separate units, each with its own entrance. This type of housing is a unique blend of an apartment and a standalone house, offering the best of both worlds. As compared to apartments, duplex homes often offer more privacy and space, but with the convenience of shared walls, reducing the cost of external maintenance and giving residents a sense of community.

According to a recent study by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, India, the demand for duplex homes has been increasing over the years, with more and more people opting for this type of housing:

• Increase in demand for duplex homes due to the need for more spacious living options amidst the pandemic
• Duplex homes are a preferred choice for families looking for extra space, privacy and the convenience of living close to the city
• The rise in demand for duplex homes is also being driven by the increased popularity of work-from-home options
• Duplex homes offer a sense of community living while still providing individual privacy and the option of customization

What are the exclusive amenities you can enjoy in a duplex home?

If you are wondering is duplex house good as your next home or real estate investment, you should know that duplex homes offer a range of exclusive amenities that you won’t find in a regular apartment. Let’s take a look at some of them:

• Privacy: With a duplex home, you don’t have to worry about noisy neighbours or prying eyes. Each unit has its own entrance, allowing residents to enjoy complete privacy.
• Space: Duplex homes offer more living space as compared to apartments, with separate living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
• Outdoor Space: Most duplex homes come with a small outdoor space, such as a balcony, terrace or garden. This allows residents to enjoy some fresh air and natural light.
• Home Office Space: Duplex homes offer ample space to set up a home office, a growing trend in light of the recent remote work culture.
• Pet-friendly: Duplex homes often have a small outdoor space, making it easier to accommodate pets.

Parameters	Homebuyers	Home Renters
Age-Range	Single	Single
Family	Family	Family
Cost of Duplex Home	High Initial Investment	Monthly Rent Payment
Maintenance Costs	Regular Upkeep Costs	Maintenance Costs Included in Rent
Utilities	Monthly Utilities Bill	Utilities Included in Rent
Location	Location of Choice	Limited Location Options
Tax Benefits	Tax Benefits for Owning a Home	No Tax Benefits for Renting

The Pros and Cons of Living in a Duplex Home

Just like anything else, duplex homes also have their own set of pros and cons. Let’s take a look at them:

Pros:

• Privacy: Duplex homes offer more privacy as compared to apartments.
• Space: Duplex homes offer more living space, making it easier to accommodate a growing family.
• Lower Maintenance Cost: With shared walls, the cost of external maintenance is reduced, making it a more affordable option as compared to standalone houses.
• Sense of Community: Duplex homes offer a sense of community, as residents have shared walls and a shared outdoor space.

Cons:

• Noise: The shared walls in a duplex home can lead to noise pollution, especially if one of the units has noisy residents.
• Lack of Amenities: As compared to apartments, duplex homes often lack amenities such as a swimming pool or gym.
• Limited Outdoor Space: The outdoor space in a duplex home is often limited, making it unsuitable for those who prefer a large garden or outdoor area.
• Home Office Space: While the ample space in a duplex home is ideal for a home office, it may not be suitable for those who prefer a dedicated workspace away from home.

For Homebuyers:

Pros	Cons
Separate living space for family members	Higher maintenance costs compared to apartments
Potential for rental income from the other unit	Challenges with privacy and noise control
Increased square footage	Responsibility for both interior and exterior maintenance
More privacy compared to apartments	Potential for disputes with neighbours
Independent entrance for each unit	Possible zoning restrictions
Possible outdoor space	Difficult to sell if market conditions change
Potential for customization	Limited shared amenities compared to apartment complexes

For Renters:

Pros	Cons
More privacy compared to apartments	Potentially higher rent compared to apartments
Separate living space for family members	Responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of individual unit
Possible outdoor space	Possible disputes with neighbours
Independent entrance for each unit	Possible zoning restrictions
Potential for more space	Limited shared amenities compared to apartment complexes
Potential for lower utility costs with shared utilities	Potentially lower security compared to apartments

Note: This table is not exhaustive and the pros and cons may vary depending on the location, zoning laws, and other factors.

Unlock the Duplex Dream with NoBroker’s Real Estate and Home Loan Services

In conclusion, owning a duplex home is a smart investment decision that provides homeowners with a unique and exclusive set of amenities. From the luxury of having extra living space to the convenience of having multiple floors, a duplex home offers a perfect balance of comfort and privacy.

As you consider making the move to a duplex home, remember that NoBroker is here to assist you with your real estate and home loan needs. Our experienced professionals understand the local market and can help you find the perfect duplex home that fits your lifestyle and budget.

With our cutting-edge platform, you can easily search for and compare homes, communicate with sellers and lenders, and handle all aspects of the home buying process with ease. So why wait? Contact NoBroker today and start enjoying the many benefits of a duplex home!

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