Hey @Armando Mejia, as @Andrew Meyer explained, you will definitely want to run your calcs based on both units being fully rented to tenants (including vacancy factor).Along with your PITI, you will also want to include all owner-paid recurring expenses such as water/sewer/garbage, an average maintenance expense (lawn, snow, general repairs), and long-term capital expenditures (new roof, furnace, etc).Once you are happy with your approximate monthly/annual cash flow assuming both units are rented, it will be easy to compute what your required living expenses will be if you were to live in one of the units.Be aware that typically a 3-plex or 4-plex will allow you to live for cheaper and cheaper in comparison to a duplex.

I looks like there is a recurring theme where out of state investors getting taken advantage of by shady PMs.  

recurring expenses?

I'm also looking for some cleaners to do a one-time initial clean at a minimum, and potentially on a recurring basis if requested by tenant. 

When I signed a lease I set up a recurring invoice and they paid that.

Especially if we can set up a recurring thing, like Third Thursday or something.

However, you will recoup those losses and more through tax deductions when you file taxes.Note: Depreciation is calculated as follows:Annual depreciation = $360,000 x 80% / 27.5 = $10,473Monthly depreciation = $10,473 / 12 = $873Depreciation is a credit and I included it in recurring expensesCombine multiple strategies.We usually combine multiple strategies.

You cannot enter into any contracts for service on a recurring basis for the property (pest control, trash, etc). 

You need to figure out the cause or it will continue to recur.  

@Kenny Simpson The latter, I believe the main bottleneck for scaling a portfolio using Conventional products stem from accruing recurring mortgage debt payments.