Duplexes, are they attached or detached?

[Theresa2484]

Well, now I'm really confused. The only thing we call a "duplex" in this part of NJ is a condominium that is on 2 levels! As for the multi family properties, and we've appraised thousands of them over the years, if the structure itself is detached from the house next door, we call it detached. I don't think that part of the 1025 is asking whether or not the units themselves are attached - it's asking about the entire structure. Just like on the 1073 form: If I'm appraising a unit in a condominium building, say a 6 six story building with 2 units on each level, I wouldn't call the subject "attached," unless the entire building shared a wall with the building next door.

 

[Smokey Bear]

Another example of the form checkboxes being inadequate.

 

[Joyce Potts]

In my market, if two units share the same legal description, tax parcel ID number and a common wall, it's an attached duplex. If two units share the same legal description, tax parclel ID number and don't share a common wall, it's a detached duplex.

Don't confuse the physical appearance or achitectural style with commonly used descriptions that you think have a clear definition.


Who's on first?

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

This was covered circa 1998 on this forum.

 

[Doug DeMars]

Although not as common as their detached counterparts, attached 2-4 unit properties are often found in large complexes that look and feel very much like a 40 to 100 unit apartment complex. (e.g. 10 to 25 "4-unit" Small-Residential Income Properties with many connected to each other). DeSaix should know what I'm talking about...I can think of 2 such complexes in Walnut Creek, CA.

Whether or not a "stand-alone" duplex/triplex/fourplex is either "attached to itself" or a combination (e.g. detached house with 2 units attached to each other in the back) or fully segregated (e.g. 4 - 1 bed/1 bath studio units not "touching" each other) these improvements are all detached from their neighboring improvements.