Thinking about investing in a duplex? Think bigger.

(BPT) - Investing in real estate can be a smart choice, but not all investments are created equal. There's no denying rental properties are a surging market. Mortgage interest rates have risen dramatically over the past few years, high enough to price many people out of purchasing a home. It means the demand for rental properties is high. You don't have to be an economist to see it — there's a crane on every corner, and new apartment buildings are popping up everywhere.

For many investors, tapping into this surging market means buying duplexes, fourplexes or single-family homes. But with them comes the hassle of becoming a landlord. Fixing appliances when they break down, arranging for snow removal and yard work, dealing with tenant complaints or worse, going through the exhausting process of evicting someone when the arrangement just isn't working. You're suddenly the building's maintenance technician in addition to being the owner.