I wasn't thinking necessarily that the updates would command a higher price, but more so wondering if it would make it more desirable and therefore potentially easier to rent out. 

That would help in determining the quality of the deal.Given my knowledge of Los Angeles and the areas that would command ~$1M for a duplex, your baseline rents seem on the lower end, especially if you are going to put in ~$25K in to each unit.

I feel as the rental market in areas such as Medford, Malden, Somerville, Woburn, Stoneham, Wakefield, Melrose area's will command a much higher rental rate, and attract a higher caliber tenant.

We have inquired about this and are awaiting a response, but if we rent the lower unit then it need to be set up as a 3 bdrm, 2 bath with laundry in order to command the rent rate it needs to make the numbers work.

My Ranges will cost only about $500 brand new (I just bought a new one today).I don't think the one shoe fits all works for $100k multi-family buildings in low income areas versus high Multi-Million Dollar multi-family buildings in dense and desirable areas where you can command high income.The two kinds of investments need different calculations and strategies.I absolutely know these differences because of my other friends that decided to invest in non-Major Metro areas outside of my Area.

Also, this part of the country in general (the northeast) isn't really where the growth has been or seems like it will be soon.I think the near term price trends are good so if you know the area and already own something here I'd say you would probably do well if you continue buying, but I'd also recommend keeping a close eye on the market, especially starting about 3 years from now (at years 3, 4 and 5).In particular pay attention to when prices seem high (sellers are still commanding higher prices) but days on market are increasing (they are taking longer to get those high prices) - it's like when the roller coaster starts to slow down at the top of the hill.We are shortening our time horizon for new acquisitions from planning 10 years out to thinking more like 5 at this point, just based on where things seem to be in the market cycle, and I suspect in ~3 years we'll be looking to sell under-performing assets.

Instead of empowering the people to live life abundantly in the manner Yahweh had commanded, these guys were more interested in elevating their bureaucratic statuses.

Now that I am through my move, settled at my new command, and through the holidays I am ready to introduce myself (felt creepy just lurking the forums and making a few posts here and there).

It doesn't seem to me that houses with garages command more rental income.

However, the language clearly gives the lender the right to commandeer the property even in the absence of default, purely at their discretion.My attorney agreed it was an overreach, but said it was highly unlikely that a lender would interfere with a performing loan.