Separate HVAC systems are a good idea too—makes things easier for tenants and utility billing.I’d also recommend talking to a contractor or local utility company about what’s needed for separate power meters and mailboxes.

If you're expecting property owners to sell their home to you at a discount, you'll need to earn their trust - whether that be by demonstrating a successful track record with purchasing/selling similar deals OR by meeting them face to face and separating yourself from the dozens of local investors and realtors.Lastly, I'd recommend searching past posts related to this topic as well as checking out books related to your target investment strategies.All the best!

We have had challenges collecting a couple/few times from OTAs.  

Would recommend you read a couple books about BRRRR, that will give you the basics and then feel free to reach out.It remains a great strategy, but you have to manage your expectaions.

The contractor should have enough money to afford his payroll for at least a couple of weeks.

@Sergio P Ramos, what about moving the house to a corner of the lot and subdividing off a small parcel for this home and selling it separately of the rest of the land.

When an investor starts out, they are so focused on that first (couple of) deal(s) and are usually either not seeing (lack of experience) or not wanting to see (emotion) any problems in the deal. 

It has been a couple of years.

Below that is a parlor floor, which has the highest ceiling in the building and this floor is connected to the ground floor via an interior staircase which we added doors to both ends to break up the lower duplex into two separate living areas.  

if it is serious I have a couple of questions for you 1) what is the last syndication that you have seen that did not project a majority of the return from value increase?