Operating at a loss, can I turn it around?

[Joel Brummel]

I’m a new investor, and I have been looking at a duplex that has come up for sale on the mls. The current rent is slightly below market for the area, but the current owner is also paying for all utilities, including internet in both properties. Looking at the current owners P&L if I were to add in a mortgage I would be operating at loss. Not good. 

My question i guess, and I know it’s situation dependent is: is this something to stay away from for a first investment, or is this simply a matter of raising rent and/or cutting utilities in order to make it a profitable investment?