Should I get a dual key condo unit?

Dual key condo unit is an apartment with two living spaces. Which means in one apartment, you can have two sub-units with two families living in it. Behind the main front door, there are two doors leading to each sub-unit. 

As you can see blow:

The above is the dual key unit of Parc Clematis. It has one main front door, and then after that it is further divided into two doors, of each "unit". The above is the two bedroom dual key, which one is a studio (when you open the door you get to see the bed), while the other has a one bedroom.  

There are also three bedroom available, depending on the development itself. 

The above shows the 3 bedroom dual key in Parc Clematis, where one side is a studio, and the other side has a 2 bedroom.

Depending on your needs, some prefer a two bedroom dual key, some prefer a three bedroom dual key, and others do not prefer dual key at all. 

Why do people get a dual key condo?
Dual key is rare and it offers the owner the privacy and flexibility of the additional room in the house, while maintaining his/her own privacy. So for example, the owner would like to buy a condo, but also be able to rent out a room without compromising on his own privacy. Or perhaps the family would like to buy a condo, and have their parents staying with them. However they would like their own privacy, and thus dual key is a good choice for them. Or perhaps the owner of the condo wants to be able to rent out to two separate groups of people, collecting two groups of rental income while allowing each of the tenants to have their own privacy. 

Dual key condo may not be suitable for one who is buying the condo for whole family to stay. A full two bedroom and three bedroom maybe more suitable if the condo is for own family stay. 

 Also a dual key condo is usually more expensive. For eg. a two bedroom dual key is usually more expensive than a two bedroom unit. 

Being said that, do you want to consider buying a dual key condo?

Yes if

- you want the flexibility to rent out a room while having privacy of your own house at the same time

- you want to collect rent from two sources of tenants while giving each their own privacy

- you are staying with your parents but want to give them and yourself privacy 

No if 

- you are buying for your own stay or family and you are not looking to rent out an additional room

- you are on a tight budget

- do not like the layout of the dual key condo location/room layout etc.

Dual key are usually popular as it is rare and offers the option to rent out a room to a tenant without compromising on your privacy. It offers the owner a source of passive income so they are usually very popular. Some developers know this and might put these dual key units on stacks numbers that are less popular, or in less popular facings. Do your own due diligence and research when purchasing your condo. Do not blindly listen to the salesperson as ultimately, you are the one buying it not the salesperson. 

Have fun and happy shopping :)