Would this be a mistake?

[Ivan Burley]

As I've posted a time or two, I'm in the process of buying my first duplex.  I've looked at quite a few and had offers on some as well.  I had a contract on one but after the inspection I decided to pass on the property.  There was too much structural damge as well as cosmetic damage.  Now I've found another that I really like.  I have questions as to the condition. 

The property is in fairly great shape.  The vacant side that I would be moving into was recently updated and has many new components.  The other side, according to the tenant, was rehabed a few years ago.  The numbers seem to work and I will be doing more cruching to confirm this.  My question is whether or not it's a good idea to buy a property that doesn't need much work.  I know a key factor is being able to add value to increase rents and such.

I would imagine that like all other deals it would depend on the numbers being in my favor. I would just like to know if any of you guys have done any deals like this that have nbeen lucrative.  This is my first multi and I really want to do it right.  I hope to do larger multifamilies in the near future and I need to start off one the right foot.