[PatsRedSoxCeltics]

I'm planning on buying a house soon, and I want to go with a duplex preferably so I can collect rent-income from one unit while living in the other.

My question is, where in Hartford county (or nearby towns) would be the best place to look? I'm looking for someplace where it won't be difficult to rent out the other unit in order to pay for most (or even all) of my mortgage payments, but also someplace that has good growth potential (for raising the value of the property).

Thanks!

[JViello]

Hartford, section 8. This way the state pays your fair market rent and not your tenants. After 10 years cash out. Done.

I hope this comes across with as much disdain as I typed it.

[Lincolnian]

I know several people who are making good money buying multifamilies in Bristol.

[skel1977]

Voted for manchester because i know that is where people go to rent and not buy. The section 8 is always an idea though as well but the tenants you get might not treat the property so well.

[DawnMTL]

The reason that I voted for West Hartford is due to the number of people on this forum who are looking for great schools but cannot afford to buy a home in West Hartford, a town where rentals are not in huge abundance.

[JayCT]

Tough choice. It really depends on your budget and where you can find the best house for your money. A well located home in Manchester might be a better buy than a poorly located home in West Hartford. I am not really sure what kind of multi-family you would find in South Windsor. I would also suggest checking out Glastonbury. Like West Hartford it has excellent schools and a lot of great shopping plus there are multi-families around. Jay

[kidyankee764]

If you don't mind renting to college kids/grad students, check out a college town. Middletown (Wesleyan University), New Britain (CCSU), Hartford/West Hartford (U Hartford, Trinity), New Haven/Hamden (Quinnipiac, SCSU, Albertus Magnus, Yale), etc.

[MrGompers]

If you are seeking side by side duplexes they seem to be rare in Conn. I know of a few enclaves of side by sides in Rocky Hill, Weathersfield, Middletown, and Glastonbury.

If you are seeking up & down i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd floor multi's those are easily found.

The suggestions of towns with good school systems is good. Since some people can't afford to buy in those towns, but can afford rent.

Blue collar towns like Manchester, New Britain, and Bristol would be good as well. Although with these towns you'll need to research the area first to make sure your not buying in a bad neighborhood.

[ct4life]

I would choose a town that doesn't have a plethora of multifamily homes or apt buildings. Maybe Farmington, Avon, Berlin, Newington, Wethersfield, etc...that way, there would likely be more of a demand for rent and you could potentially get more money and long term renters.

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by ct4life

I would choose a town that doesn't have a plethora of multifamily homes or apt buildings. Maybe Farmington, Avon, Berlin, Newington, Wethersfield, etc...that way, there would likely be more of a demand for rent and you could potentially get more money and long term renters.

None of those towns really have any duplexes.

Farmington - way more apartments and condos than duplexes except for Unionville section

Avon - the well-to-do folk here wouldn't hear of having a duplex in THEIR town. You may as well rent out a McMansion

Berlin - I wouldn't bother

Newington & Wethersfield - maybe. Both of these are nice towns but I don't even know where multi-family houses are. There may be a few, but what comes to mind are mostly postwar, subuarban detached houses.

What may also help out is if any duplexes are either on a bus line or close to amenities - parks, schools, stores, etc. That's often a selling point that attracts people to properties like these.