(I am a scientist and engineer, can you tell?)

We're currently vetting architects/engineers and looking at construction loans. 

I would reach out to a local environmental engineering company to discuss what you are wishing to do. 

Most of the largest cities in the Midwest, includingChicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Minneapolis, rank in the middle of the pack.Geographic and infrastructure advantages support leasing by small manufacturingand distribution tenants in these locations.However, limited population growth, or in some casespopulation losses, result in less robust leasing among smaller tenants in localconstruction trades.

Some municipalities may ask you to tear it down, some "may" say OK with full engineering reports "if" there are other duplexes in the area.

About collecting rent through Zelle, though, there are a few key reasons why it might not be the best fit for you as a landlord or property management firm, especially in the long run:Zelle is Designed for Personal Use: Its features are great for sending money to friends and family, but it lacks the business functionalities that landlords need, like automatic rent tracking and late fees.No Rent-Specific Features: You'll miss out on handy features tailored for landlords, such as payment reminders, lease management, and maintenance requests.Transaction Limits and Dispute Resolution: Zelle has sending limits that could interfere with rent payments, and it doesn't offer the same level of protection and dispute resolution you'd get with services designed for rental transactions.Given these limitations, while Zelle might work for now, as you grow and manage more properties, you'll likely need a more robust solution that's designed with landlords in mind.

I'm a software engineer looking to get into real estate investing.

Ask your agent/contractors for a referral engineer.

You're talking needing plans, architect drawings, engineering study, a zillion permits and inspections.I just don't see a lender lending on this kind of deal without that person having major experience that includes some ground up or extensive rehab work.If you wanna "break in" to the financing world, it is not impossible at all. 

But I don't think that's the case for most people.I am just a housewife, but my husband is an engineer and has an MBA.