I was thinking it may be closer to a "wash" or, maybe only slightly more only bc w/ a duplex at least we aren't paying for two exterior wall materials for two sfh?

The key to finding good deals is to remain open to alternative investment strategies and consider all potential deal sources.

Under the IRS rules, a person  qualifies as a real estate professional if: (1) more than one-half of the personal services the taxpayer performs in trades or businesses during the tax year are in real property trades or businesses in which the taxpayer materially participates, AND.....(2) hours spent providing personal services in real property trades or businesses in which the taxpayer materially participates total more than 750 during the tax year.Like @Greg Scott and @Russell Brazil mentioned above, I don't believe that you would qualify as a REPS, but if you are going to try it, make sure you document it very well (i.e. with some kind of proof, like time cards, mileage forms, and/or receipts, etc.) so that just in case you do get audited, you at least have something to provide to the IRS agent. 

Alternatively, if a client is only looking for marketing and pricing help I charge 10%.Hope that helps!

Alternatively, you can offer the seller a $50k mortgage secured by your land subject to the $150k existing mortgage on the property you’re purchasing.  

It wasn't always smooth sailing – I've learned a lot from my mistakes and am happy to share those learnings to help others avoid them.Feel free to ask me anything about structuring subcontractor relationships, ordering materials, or keeping budgets on track.

Does anyone know of any institutions or people that would lend cash similarly to a line of credit or some alternate option that would help us with buying homes to move into our properties?

The colors & housing-materials that you described above are a "sign of the times". 

We really can't tell you anything based on the information offered, it depends on local laws, costs, rents, materials, permits, etc.....

They haven't been a maintenance issue other than the glass shades once getting broken which I was able to replace with used shades from a used construction material store like Habitat for Humanity.