Duplexes give you the additional tenant while still being in nice neighborhoods.It is even more critical to screen your tenants effectively for smaller properties as even one vacancy can create a huge headache. 

Learning & practicing the math is critical for finding a profitable deal.

Ordering materials and scheduling are critical.  

That's a rather vague question in the sense that real estate is a negotiation game, but you have left out critical info. 

I certainly did NOT intend this as any kind of criticism of what you guys are doing--hope it didn't come across that way.

A lease option can be a great opportunity to not only secure your buyer to then start the 1031 but also to give you some flexibility in timing which is so critical in a 1031 situation.  

Just to add our local specifics: make sure how your landlords/owners want to handle turning utilities after tenants move out: in the winter it's critical.

just like we see on all the HGTV flipping shows Not a one of those is targeting investors its all home owners..So for those looking to buy rentals there Is more to it than a fresh rehab especially in renter dominated markets.. where PM is KEY to success.. house is of course important but PM is critical.. 

I share this example not because I want sympathy or criticism, but in hopes that readers here might learn from my mistake as they evaluate their own situation.I have a handful of other rental properties that I've added since 2012, and I consider these to have been moderately successful.

Most tenants are good, but the critics are always the loudest.