Newbie from Minneapolis

[Dustin Ruff]

What's going on BP!!  I've finally pulled myself out of debt and into a solid credit score with my son going into his sophomore year at Augsburg.  I was ready to buy a house in the city but quickly realized that there's a whole lot more I should do than just settle with having a house.   Stumbled onto BP a couple months ago and have been watching skeptically from the wings.  I quickly found this to be an incredible resource, and have been consuming every bit of info I can get my hands on.  Looking forward to learning from you all and hopefully creating some successful opportunities as well.  

[Dustin Ruff]

I think what I'm narrowing it down to is buying a duplex and living in it to start with. None of which will happen until 2018.
I'd love to get into something as soon as possible but I'm in a position that allows me to be patient until I find the right deal. It does seem like everything gets swooped up really quickly and over asking price. Except north.

I currently live in north and am not afraid of this neighborhood by any means, which most folks are still writing off as too scary. Which might be an opening for me.

Ideally I'd like to buy the duplex I'm in but I don't think there's enough room for improvements without raising rent on my neighbor and I by 400 each.