For the BRRRR process I plan on using a hard money lender for the rehab process for the SFH's but what I'm not sure of is, should I purchase a duplex and rent one unit out and live in the other or should I just rent for now, not purchase a duplex and just purchase a SFH with cash and start BRRRR'n immediately?

There were many lessons learned in the process of my first investment.

From day one I treated my involvement in real estate as a real business.This means, I had an advertising budget, a lead generating and follow up process, a back end process and money source and above all an experienced mentor.  

In other words, two financing agreements "wrapped" together.But the goal here would be for the 2nd buyer to close all-cash (to skip the financing process), would that still work? 

Thankfully I was able to sell both houses and stop the bleeding.During the sale process I found out than one of my houses had a baseball sized whole in the roof and the other had two AC units that were not functioning along with mold that had to be remediated.

So, their attorney gets back to them with the new that (1) their dream of a “contingency” fee lawsuit is a non starter (2) that the process is going to be long, drawn out, and (3) that a $15,000 retainer would be required. 

There are plenty of deals in Philly on and off-market from wholesalers, who are pretty decent in Philly compared to other places.You will need to get your GC license here and learn the permitting process and necessity here as well.

Follow the lease and the laws in your state and start the eviction process.

@Michael Smythe Great processes Michael!

Mark, I am in the process of completing a HELOC with Wells Fargo.