I am aware of the benefits of each and understand how the loans differ.

Plus you immediately start benefiting from the appreciation/amortization that comes with owning RE. 

Either way, this has always been a community of mutual benefit and shared ideas.

We are literally throwing everything we can at the problem; sky high pay, amazing benefit packages, school tuition reimbursement, hiring bonuses... and it's not infilling the gap, the rate of skilled journeys aging out is still higher then rate or new tech entries. 

I initially got a 15-yr 10% down conv loan @ 3.875% (#DaveRamsey) until I realized the benefits of leverage.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each, and it will depend on your individual situation which is better.

That is done a lot here with properties built before hydro dams made power here the cheapest in the nation.A simple cost/benefit analysis will answer a lot of questions, including this.

We plan to hold onto this property for a while and reap the benefits of debt paydown and cash flow will eventually increase as rents do.

We plan to hold onto this property for a while and reap the benefits of debt paydown and cash flow will eventually increase as rents do.

Long term I'd have the added benefit of being able to increase the rental rates of two units with the duplex vs the one with the SFH.The other side is the location of the SFH is so great I fear the appreciation may far outweigh what I'll get on the duplex over the next 5-10 years.