It is still super competitive.

We spent four years in a duplex, maintaining it in our rental portfolio as we transitioned to another house hack residence with an additional accessory dwelling unit-type house next door.Navigating the intricacies of FHA loans in competitive real estate markets can be daunting, given stringent home requirements and more complex processes.

Without experience flipping/brrr or any heavy rehab is very risky and can result in big losses.

Similar concept as a duplex but without the fierce level of buyer competition. 

Despite being remote, I felt confined to my desk every day with little mobility, and the heavy emphasis on commission made it a rollercoaster experience.During a recent trip to the States (I'm Canadian), I had a realization.

Considering your goal of house hacking a duplex, while FHA loans are common for first-timers, there are alternative financing options to explore:Conventional Loans: Need more credit and down payment, but offer flexibility. 203K Loans: Ideal for fixer-upper duplexes, bundling purchase and renovation costs.VA Loans: Great for vets—no down payment, competitive rates, and no mortgage insurance.Portfolio Loans: Private lenders, good for unconventional income or credit histories.Hard Money Loans: Quick, high-interest, good for investments or major renovations.With $30,000, mix it up—use it for a down payment, maybe pair with a conventional or FHA loan.

And that's the heavy lift, how to scale with finite capital.

We offered cash to be competitive with the offer, there were 35 offers in 5 days.

You can determine a competitive offer price for a property, analyze market trends, property condition, income potential, and operating expenses.

Do you have CRE investing experience or heavy residential experience?