Provide extras - the ultra-personal touch.I just love when people try to super overcharge for their services.

1) Do you put the extra rent and deposit in escrow?

Unless we were asked and were being paid extra , we never replaced the pipe going into the tank from the house . 

You're seeing the truth in your portfolio performance. 

Of course it sounds good as extra income but as I am looking it does sound like a headache and not appraising well.

Now every week that passes, I'm paying extra to keep my rate in.

The goal is to have paid off properties to pay my parents extra income in retirement. 

We personally won't look at a deal where we don't think we won't make at least $50,000 after all expenses and closing... and truthfully we are usually wanting closer to $100,000 or more.  

I cannot see how build two, say, 1200 sq ft houses with two roofs, two foundations, presumable about 25-30% more windows and siding is going to be cheaper a duplex that might have a little extra fireblocking and soundproofing.Now, maybe your GC is thinking that detached homes tend to get higher rent than comparably sized and finished duplexes.  

The truth is supply shortage is BECAUSE of the "net margin crisis".