Final answer:
Joan's duplex in Manor is likely to experience depreciation if she cannot rent it out, as rental properties are prone to disinvestment and poor maintenance which lead to a decline in their value.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Joan cannot rent out her duplex in Manor, which was built in 1971, the most likely scenario is that it may experience depreciation. This is because rental properties, particularly older ones, tend to suffer from disinvestment and poor maintenance over time. According to the information provided, as houses age, they often become rental properties and are at risk of becoming less desirable to potential renters, leading to a decline in value. Government tax breaks for rental property owners for depreciation indicate that loss in value is an expected outcome. In addition, when buildings are not maintained properly, their value deteriorates, which can eventually lead to abandonment and further depreciation.
This scenario is not isolated to Manor or any specific locations; it is a pattern observed in many aging neighborhoods and properties across the United States. If a building is abandoned due to lack of income from rent to maintain and keep up with taxes, it can become the property of the local government via tax foreclosure, further indicating that the property has lost value.