My first steps in my first deal -- Help!

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Hi there, I have been reading the information on this website for sometime now and would just like to thank everyone for their generosity in sharing information and stories. It for one has motivated, taught, informed and protected me and can only thank the people here on this site.

Now on to my question. I have recently decided to take the final dive into acuiring a duplex which will double as my primary residence and rental. I have crunched the number all I can and found it to turn a nice profit and a good first time investment. The property, however, is 1/2 parcelled and split right down the middle. This includes the house sitting on the lot. They're two seperate deeds, tax ids and all, in fact, two seperate brokers have them listed. Both REOs.

My questions(s) is this. I really want to buy this property but as a whole. There are obvious benefits in doing this, most importantly, avoiding two closings and having one mortgage. I have been talking to other RE investors in the area and did not know any firm answer as to go about correcting this problem, including title agents that "have to get back to me.'

My second hurdle I have come across is the financing. I have met with a few lenders now and all say I have to have someone co-sign on the mortgage. I would really like to avoid this. Now seeing that I work full time at a restaurant and make more than I do on paper, they also said that I would have to go no-docs. Catch with this is that it is usually requires a minimum of $40k purchases. The house im going for is only $29k. Any Ideas?

Thanks in advance for any help and appreciate any input.

Adam