For the Arizona real estate industry and the Maricopa County Assessor, a duplex is a building with 2 units in it. If you own a duplex, you own an entire building that has 2 units in it. Similarly, if you own a 4-plex, you own an entire building that has 4 units in it.
The real estate industry in Arizona calls a single unit within a duplex a “gemini” or “twin” home. Nevertheless, most people who are not real estate professionals call both the single unit and the entire building a duplex.
Duplex, Gemini or Twin Home - Pros
- Less expensive than single family homes
- Only one shared wall
Duplex, Gemini or Twin Home - Cons
- Noise from your neighbor
- Owners of twin homes need to coordinate exterior and roof maintenance, if home is not part of a larger HOA that covers those expenses
- Duplexes have small yards or no yard
- Less common than townhouses or condominiums so the selection of gemini homes may be small
