Her profile says she's a Gator/Transactional lender, so she makes money by being part of the program.

The program has had an overhaul recently and they are much more responsive now.

Are any of the existing tenants utilizing Section-8 vouchers, rental assistance, or social/ placement programs of any kind?

Live it in for a year and repeat the process, buy another duplex, hopefully with the same program if it still exists a year down the line.  

The City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland has a grant program setup to help homeowners. 

It is great to be enthusiastic, but realize there is also a huge sales and marketing tactic to get you to buy into those programs. 

By CHAMP, does this refer to the Community Housing Affordable Mortgage Program loan?

TD and RBC have good lending programs if you have a very small portfolio in Canada. 

I know Section 8 isn't the most attractive start with investors, but I've grown to believe it can be very successful if done correctly and with the high program rents and long waitlist in NC and surround states it has drawn me to it.

We used a Canada-based lender with a presence in the US and a lending program geared towards Canadians purchasing property in the US.