If you put the $10000 down and get the deal can you make the numbers work with just the one side of the duplex ...I know the IT IS A BUSINESS crowd will speak different but how can you kick old sick grandma out on the street...and if she leaves will the sons go too ? 

Driver around all the streets and look for vacant houses.

Assuming your information is accurate, being in Lakewood (especially with its rising popularity) is a great advantage to have on other investors who aren't familiar with the streets there.

The area is zoned residential, as it leads from one street back to another my understanding is that one side is single family, while the other end is zoned multi-unit.   

Question is, will we be able to refinance (using a commercial loan) if there is a board up on the street?

We know a married couple who recently bought a 3 flat literally on the next street over of us who've not gone about it the right way and so far things are not going well for them.  

example only :  58th North Hampton or 27th West Brown street Next time you are in Wisconsin : let's meet up to talk about raising funds over coffee

Is there some other way to get under the street?

Hi,I have a property that is on a private street, so it is the responsibility of the owners to make sure the street is up to code.

Driver around all the streets and look for vacant houses.