Then I hired a home inspector in December in an attemt to clarify what is going on there.

Perhaps a nice 1950's built bungalow.Always hire a 3rd party property inspector to give you an unbiased feel for the home.

(pictures of current house pre-renovation listed along with a second house-MISTAKE)July 23, tenants move out and return keysAug 31 First set of renovations complete, mostly cosmeticThrough Sep I negotiated with Norada and M.I.P to improve the renovations, I was not satisfied with work nor scope, they agreed to all items and improved the unit through Sep while it was on the market.Sep 12 Appraisal came in for asking price of $95,000, cost $495Sep 18th Third Party Property Inspectors found items, M.I.P fixed all issues, Cost $295Sep 28th, closed on the property, no tenant yetClosing: The closing was smooth, mobile notary came to my houseAll paperwork initially was signed via DocuSign, but ended up signing everything in front of the mobile notary at the end againElectronic copies were available post-closingNo issues with wiring money, etc.Post-Closing: Home is still empty, Reedy and Company Realtors, LLC is now the Property Management companyPictures of final renovations were provided after many inquiriesHouse rent rate was lowered to $965 after sitting vacant all summer at $1065I was not sure why they raised the rent so high during the closing process.

Does anyone have a Home Inspection company that they have used before and can recommend for a duplex in Rockford? 

Just purchase a rental property near Drake from a private seller, and it’s been 3 years since the last purchase we did... wondering whether anyone had any good recommendations for an inspector.

@Wayne Brooks is right about owner occupant permits... check the code book and ask the building inspector.

On top of that, OP says the property is vacant but the health inspector told me there are people living in the house.

Preferably, go for $1 million+ purchase price because you can get better agency financing.There would a lot of work to do finding the deal, performing due diligence, lining up insurance and various inspectors and contractors.

Having gotten my own inspection we solved all of the issues the next inspector will see (shoutout @Mindy Jensen for that tip.)

If you ever showed up before a judge because a codes inspector brought an issue against you, i think the court would be very hard pressed to prove you don't live somewhere.That's just my opinion.