I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with a similar situation to mine and or has any advice.I'm looking to buy a triplex as well as a single family home that is on one parcel, so 4 total units.

Make an insurance claim and buy all new stuff.

Now for the CRE owner, I do agree if you can find a value add 1031 deal at a good price, then you should buy it and the 1031 at $750 range is a much better deal!

Get knowledge, follow experienced people, and leverage wisely.My Take:If you have two houses, excellent credit, and motivation to build wealth, you can learn to manage your money responsibly.Use HELOC, credit cards, and business credit funding to leverage your cash and buy properties faster.

Some investors buy one property at a time and payoff, before buying the next.

@Rae Chris Ann Arbor is pretty expensive, so difficult to find cashflowing rentals.You may want to look in Ypsilanti - if you want to stay in your area.Otherwise, Metro Detroit offers a LOT of options.Read our copy & paste below for some helpful info:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

For instance if you buy a duplex and plan to significantly renovated it.

Additionally , the coverage should satisfy my mortgage company where I don’t have to buy a separate landlord policy. what say you?

It would be pretty hard to buy $500+ per month cash flow unless you were buying in some rough neighborhoods. 

Your first challenge is - you shouldn't buy based upon zip code!