If you want to quasi invest, owner occupy and live semi-comfortably, then duplex may be the way to go. 

I am a newcomer to BP and am looking to make a purchase by the end of summer.My goal is to be able to semi retire and manage my own RE instead of other peoples.I am currently a maintenance manager at a shopping center in Milwaukee WI.

At least in this small semi-affluent city.

No one at either bank is going to care, and neither will the IRS.The only thing semi-unusual that will happen is that the maker's signature will absolutely be verified (banks have different levels for where they do this, but I'll wager none is higher than $25,000), but outside of that, this is a run-of-the-mill deposit.If you get a wire, the funds will be available immediately, but the bank will sting you for $30 for the privilege of processing an electronic transaction that cost them about three cents to administer.If you get a check, there will likely be a considerable hold until the funds have absolutely cleared, unless your account routinely has checks in these amounts going in an out and the bank is comfortable giving you credit sooner.If you get a wire, I would ask for a short letter from the sender that says this is a loan repayment.

Having two or three (or more) paid off RE parcels providing positive cash flow for future years is wonderful and a wise choice of semi-passive investments.

The county which seems to act as if decent sidewalks are an abomination are beginning to put in semi-logical sidewalks in those areas around PG Plaza mall and Rt 1.

Thank you for the tips; I hope it won't be too difficult to find a place that has semi-concealed parking.  

However, if you can get a conventional loan on a distressed (or semi distressed) asset than their is no reason why the strategy won't work.Remember to just calculate your cash flow forecasts on money that has actually been borrowed...nothing projected etc.

Here is what we have to show for our $75k.post 16 - framingFinally some above ground work is underway at the semi detached project.

Why not walk through the unit (with proper notice to enter unit) either semi-annually or quarterly to ensure that it is not being destroyed.