DUPLEX VS. SINGLE FAMILY/ REAL ESTATE LICENSE?

[Keith M ivy]

Hey all. My name is Keith. I am 28 y/o, married and have a very young child. I want to build wealth for myself and my family. I currently live in Memphis, TN. I currently work for the city as a firefighter/paramedic. I am looking to get into the real estate investing game.  I've been studying and doing my research on the topic for about 2 years now, and I'm at the point where I am ready to buy my first house, which would be my primary residence for a short while (maybe about 2 -3 years). I would like to buy a duplex for our first house but it seems that ever duplex I find in my city are either over priced based on value and last appraisal or they are in areas of town I wouldn't want my wife and child living in. If you know anything about Memphis, TN then you know that the city as a whole is kind of rough( speaking from a Memphis firefighter's perspective). Our only other option is a single family home, which would put us in a better part of town.  That's the short and sweet of the situation.

Also I am thinking about getting my real estate license and using it to get my foot in the door and to start my own business as well. What are the Pros and Cons of being an investor and real estate agent?

Any advice on my situation would be helpful. Thanks all for taking the time the read this and responding.