Assuming the financial return on purchasing a fourplex is roughly equal either way, I want to look beyond the spreadsheet and discuss the practical pros and cons of two options:
- Buy the fourplex, rent out three units, and live in the fourth.
- Buy the fourplex, rent out all four units, and rent a comparable place somewhere else for myself at roughly the same monthly cost.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, considering finances, taxes, lifestyle, privacy, flexibility, property management, and long-term investment strategy?