Don't attack real estate as if you found a money tree ripe for picking, go at it as if you're growing that money tree to serve you for the long haul, you'll be more successful. 

Your first brokerage is important, choose wisely if your in this for the long haul.  

They will have you hauling stuff all summer but the experience will be well worth it from the knowledge they will impart.  

i would like to do that but the only bad thing about that is I live in North Carolina (the aka  retirement state) and since I'm in this for the long haul the bad thing about the duplex is most of all duplexes in my local area are in bad parts of town for 1 and 2 our market turnover for duplex tenants are high 2 and lastly for me starting out getting a duplex would mean I have to manage more then one tenant at a time which could be a little difficult for me being a newbie and all.

Right now, we live in Seligman in an off grid community - we are on solar panels, generator and haul our own water.

You are in a great situation being ambitious, young, single, no kids, and flexible ... yes, starting out is very difficult as it can take years before you start to see the fruits of your hard work, especially before you lock down your first investments; just have to keep at it and have faith that your hard work will pay off in the long haul, so long as you keep at it.You mentioned sales ...

I had spent time with the neighbors, joined the block club, and gave EVERYONE my number but no one bothered to call when they saw guys hauling my stuff away.

According to photographs, there were clothes/toys/misc things all over the floors, covering the floor of 3 front closets.  

I think its a great idea as well, if you have proper boundaries set with tenants.Also, if you see them over there hauling out trash, offer to help carry stuff or use your tree lawn.I would put the 'bug' in there ear sooner than later though, otherwise they'll make other plans.

I have been specifically toying with the concept of implementing a branding strategy for property rentals that would allow people to identify and connect with my properties on a different level than just finding them on a housing search site.