Buying a duplex as a first home

[Mike March]

Buying a duplex as a first home, is this a good idea? i found one in the Seattle area for 330k. it should rent out for 1300 each side. I know the area pretty well. I currently rent and like the house were in now. I would like to rent out both sides of the duplex and have it pay for my rent or at least half and the house payment. I was reading with a FHA loan u have to live in one side of the duplex for at least a year. Is there any way around this? Is there anything to look for or i should know? would it be better to buy a house first or go with the duplex.