The affordablity metric of Canadian RE works as follow: the closer your are to centres like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, the more expensive the property will be and t gets pricier, in the eye of those epicentres. 

Right now, I’m seeing max LTVs closer to 80% on purchases, though before COVID, we sometimes went up to 85%.Also, keep an eye out for lenders who promise amazing terms but demand large commitment fees upfront.

i understand a true duplex might be a lot more expensive, but i think it's at least worth continuing to research and keeping an eye on.and sticking to my original point, OOS can be tough. 

As you grow your portfolio, keep an eye out for lenders who offer low down payment options for investors or those that allow leveraging the equity from your existing properties to fund new ones. 

Make sure you do your math correctly when analyzing property taxes…they will be eye opening.

I have heard many times (from managers much smarter than me) that if you aren't getting as many eyes on your listing as you want, then you must lower the price!   

Aside from downpayment, you want to have a solid emergency fund in place, something that can cover unexpected repairs, vacancies, or any other random costs that pop up.I’d also recommend saving more than you think you'll need and keeping a close eye on your expenses.

I'm thinking I could have someone manage the build as my eyes and ears when I'm working.

The rebound in single-family home sales is impressive, but what really catches my eye is the inventory growth and the trends in townhomes and condos. 

I have my eyes on New Haven, CT given its growing population and proximity to universities.