Buy or build?

[Katie Barton]

I have been thinking about obtaining a duplex to live in and rent out the other half as income. I do not know if I should try to buy on or build one. I know a builder who does duplexes, but buying one would be so much faster. The problem is that the ones around here that I've seen for sale are junky and I've noticed real estate agents are not taking me that seriously. What would be some good advice any of you could give about this? I'm 26, a female, and clueless (working on this part!). But I want to have income properties so badly. I just want to be smart about how I start.