This approach aligns with my preference for immediate equity and the potential to replicate this strategy with a second property by year's end.House Hack a New Construction Duplex: I've spotted a duplex priced at $405k that's appealing for a live-in investment.

@Jay Hinrichs is spot on with the online reviews. 

I agree with Melanie that you should do what you can to not answer questions on the spot.

In my areas they require concrete or asphalt driveways & parking and each unit requires 2 parking spots, that is 4 spots per duplex, that's 800 square feet of land for parking per duplex.All of this adds up, but it works out, least for us it has.Also...

About / Members – Neighborhood Building Owner's Alliance (nboachicago.com)Another great spot would be the Straight Up Chicago Investor's Podcast which also keeps an up-to-date meetup list for Chicago meetups. 

They've got the inside scoop on those secret spots that don't show up on spreadsheets.Now, a little advice from my early days in the real estate game: getting your hands dirty and reaching out to sellers and developers is key.

So I would keep paying for inspections until and unless you feel you've gotten very good at spotting such things.

Fortunately I’m in a spot to be able to decline them and still get booked, but 99% of issues I’ve ever had with airbnb guests were from guests with no reviews who started issues on the property or had problematic stays almost every time like clock work.

Once you get outside of those areas is where occupancy would likely be a lot lower since Pittsburgh isn't necessarily a "destination spot" compared to some other cities. 

Plus, I have a soft spot for those old victorians.