Getting very frustrated looking for rental properties in my area. And don't even get me started on the costs of properties around here. Starting to wonder if it makes sense to build a duplex or quad building. Leaving the cost of land aside for a minute, what do you guys think it would cost to build from scratch? I know "it depends" on a lot of things. But if you're in a major metro area, or a secondary metro area (i.e. you're not in the middle of corn field country where everything seems to be dirt cheap!), what's the finished building cost for a basic residential building with or without a general contractor? $60 to $70/sf? --173.31.xx.xx

www.westchestermodular.com/multi_family.htmlwww.gomodularhomes.com/portal/.../duplex/duplex-exterior-photos --108.220.xxx.xxx

Time to find some "Roy" houses. --108.250.xxx.xxx

For duplex or condo's around here you don't want to pay more than $30k-$40k for the land per unit. To build out they range from $70k-$100k depending. I have a really good 3-4 unit townhouse plan that's cheap to build and fits on the footprint of a big ranch. Units are 17ft wide and 40-45 deep, with a garage under them. --24.228.xx.xxx

Cimbad Out!! --99.88.xxx.xx

Most of my rentals are in southeast WI. I could buy a forclosure every week and they cost far less than building. In what area of WI are you looking? --76.223.xxx.xxx

If you can't find a deal in your market-look elsewhere. --69.69.xxx.xx

The duplexes I want are expensive in my area too. I tried to see if I could build one in a backyard lot, but there were too many issues regarding city ordinances. Although, I get great tenants that always pay on time and I can count on. After I do a repair, they clean up after me before I can even get to the mess. --168.178.xx.xxx

I own in the Twin Cities area - southwest burbs. 19 Fortune 500 companies headquartered here, which drives up costs overall. Cimba, you can indeed buy slumlord properties at slumlord prices in the urban hood, but for various reasons I choose not to own there. I'm also not nuts about buying any further out than 20 miles or so due to family, work, travel reasons. As for prices, I just passed on a $150k single family 3/2 home in a blue collar area near me. It will probably sell for $130k to $140k. Duplexes and quads are virtually non-existent around here. --173.31.xx.xx

I agree with Cimba... why would you buy new when you can buy foreclosure for pennies on the dollar? I cannot justify building anything new at this time. --141.129.x.xx

:-) --173.31.xx.xx

:-) --173.31.xx.xx

Foreclosures are also not that common in my market. They exist but their are not enough of them to affect much. --24.228.xx.xxx

Lastly at least in my city the numbers work better. --24.228.xx.xxx

A lot depends on the type of construction. If one is building a fire proof unit which is made out block and concrete then the cost will be double to triple the cost of wood construction. The building code will require fire separation between the rental units which is at least one hour. It takes a long time to break even with new construction where buying a existing rental then renovating is a lot cheaper. Often it can take 10 years to break even then fifteen years to make a profit where things start to wear out. --74.220.xxx.xx

have own land just build on land --24.61.xxx.xx

If memory serves, other people are able to get much better prices on custom-built duplexes by working with steel buildings. --209.33.x.x