Turns out she is stationed in the DC area and starting to get into real estate as well and we were able to work out a deal.

Close in a exterior area and make it into a air conditioned workout roomConvert a garage into a large living areaRepaint outside of the houseChange from typical arizona rock yard to grass in front and back yard.

Our state ORegon is really cracking down on illegal assignment stuff.. and frankly there just is not enough inventory this is a very cash intensive business on the west coast to make any real money and buy real I mean more than a deal here or there.. 

I currently work out of town 20 days a month so I only have about 8 days to meet up with somebody and learn.

After I settled on duplexes, we had already found the one I wanted, but if the deal didn’t work out, he was getting a good idea of what I wanted.

If these are properties needing work and are more labor intensive, then I would say that is where most of the work lies.  

Learn the business, deal with the maintenance, and work out the kinks.  

Cost can be intensive depending on your finish out, will you offer furnished units?

I would like to work out a "worst case scenario" going forward and would appreciate any help you're willing to give.

I would use the savings because otherwise you are borrowing money at 6% so you can keep your cash in savings earning 1.75% which doesn't work out too well mathematically speaking