Twin home, to buy or not to buy?

I bought my first house (half of duplex) when I was 22...It was turn of the century - so there were only some places with firewalls....Yes - there was noise, at times (we knew more when they had a baby...lol) - but you really do get used to it....Keep in mind they will hear you also....but we kept it & built equity for a few years, then moved into our first single home (we kept it as our first rental - we now have four) - and that particular one is now totally paid off....build equity when you're young - it WILL pay off......!!!! Even if you don't keep it after you move out - you can use the equity that YOU build for YOURSELF - not that you build for your LANDLORD....! Good Luck!

I'm not sure if all twin (town?) homes are built the same.You may be able to hear your neighbors in one and not the other. When you go to look at the homes have your Realtor go in

the adjoining unit (this is for a duplex, most townhomes will have someone already living next door) and start talking, walking, play a radio.....etc. This will help you decide if the noise level will kill the deal. You should also go and visit the property at different times of the day..morning, afternoon, evening, night. Some neighborhoods are quiet at one time and really come alive at another.

Start now! Build your equity or at least get the tax break now. The real estate market is cyclical. It's a home first and an investment second.

Your home is what you make of it. This is a much better option than renting.

Good luck!

All the best!

Ryan Smith

I'm living in a twin right now. It's really not too bad, though the neighbors have hardwood floors and I can hear them walking up the steps. But with a twin, as with any house, there will be noises and you will have to get used to them. I'm sure some neighbors can be louder than others, it's sort of a gamble. If you think you'd be able to put up with possible noisy neighbors, go for it. Buy a twin now, live in it for a few years, then sell it for (hopefully) more than you bought it for. Then you could buy a single home.

Depends on many things.

Of course right now realistate is at an alltime low. wich is good for buyers but not so good equity wise. Duplex.

well when i turned 21 i received parts of inheiritance from mother father and my grandparents. over 300,000. so it was really good because i was struggling in debt.

i decided to pay of all debt and get a two family house. i rented out one half and lived in the other and figured it would only make my income higher yes but know. Insurance was outragious. twice the family payed only half. then moved out unanounced and it would cost almost as much to bring them to court as was owed. then damages ect. but worst off is the insurance. my age was the factor. and my money limit was not good enough the way the home insurance renter insurance and the 10million small things you have to take care of works is it gets less exspensive over time. like care insurance. eventually i stoped renting the other half. and am remodleing the whole house.

anyway for a short answer.

No.

buy a house big enough for you to live in let the equity build up over 5-10 years spend your extra money on remodleing. and in ten years when your getting married or haveing a kid or what not. sell out and even then renting many be to much.

Rent is evil but trust me. owning property doesnt change the price that much. and gives you so much more responsibility.

i wish you the best of luck and i hope you solve this issue

If and when--that is the biggie--it is right in your area and market for buying, a twin home will be better than renting.

Twin homes are the next step up from a duplex or condo ownership and a few steps above a mobile home. There will generally be a fire wall between the two home sections which helps insulate from bangs and sound intrusions.

My husband's parents bought one when they retired and were miserable for the first three years until the other side sold to a more considerate neighbor.

The first "neighbor" made them feel like they were co-tennants instead of neighbors because of yelling, loud tv and music sounds, and constant re-decorating (walls being pounded with hammering sounds). Because the garages were side by side, they would get weekly weekend odors of gasoline and solvents as their neighbor worked on cars for a side income.

On the bright side, their backyard was seperated into two private sections with fencing which was helpful. I offer this as advice and a warning to take your time and choose wisely. Most people take care in picking the best location, but neglect checking with neigbors as to who their own neighbor will be.

Before you buy, I would take the time to read some of this guys website on how to buy a home in a market such as the one we have now) so that you don't lose tens of thousands by the end of three years from now. It will save you tens of thousands and years of grief if you will prepare yourself wisely before buying.

This site will help you: http://longislandbubble.com/

Even though he is in Long Island, most of his information is applicable the entire United States.

Best of luck and happiness with your home search!

Owning real estate is always a good thing. The problem is to determine if you are getting a good deal. A duplex can be good because you can lease part of the home and live in the other part. The main thing with real estate is location. good luck...

I have a BT Studio 1100 - Cheap (£35) and cheerfull!! It works particularly good and has a few well aspects - you'll be able to additionally placed the moment (or third) upstairs with out the desire of a cell extension!