How to buy MultiFamily when Multifamilies arent available in area

[Jarrett Atkinson]

Hey Everyone,

Im a 23 year old looking to buy my first home and househack it to cut down on living expenses while i build equity. I work 50-60 hours a week in Detroit at Quicken Loans, so I would like a duplex within a reasonable distance from Detroit . Since I'm working so many hours and just starting in my career, I want a multifamily that requires minimal-no effort in repairs. I just want to live in one unit, rent out the other, then house hack the next property. The issue is that most duplexes in the Detroit area are projects requiring some sort of work, and in the downriver area, where I am originally from and would prefer to live, duplexes are hard to find. I've tried messaging owners of duplexes for rent asking to buy without success. My real estate agent is not finding deals that are attractive to me as most properties either need work or get purchased immediately before i can set up a visit. Can anyone offer advice other than to be patient? Are there other ways to find properties? I know we are in a buyers market but I'm at a spot in my life where I really want to get started in my real estate journey as soon as possible.