I have a very nice duplex in a classy neighborhood, with each side having its own private, but very small back yard.

I'm under contract for a duplex in Muskegon, Michigan.

No HOA and easier financing than condos.

I would like to buy a duplex and try an airbnb and if that did not work would like to long term rent the property.  

The zoning will define the permitted uses (this will tell you if you can have an RV/Boat storage there) and it will define the density (this will tell you how many tiny homes you can add).You'll want to make sure you don't conflict the existing duplex to a new use or mixed use where you might put the existing use out of compliance. 

To add some context, it has been hard to sell condo units in old buildings in Little Havana for the same reason, and lately there have been more commercial deals done on entire buildings to demolish them and build new ones with extra unit under the Miami21.

One common advice I have noticed is purchasing a duplex or multi family home in your area or at least 30 miles within proximity.

., "I will buy at least one single-family home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex before the end of 2019") and then do it.

I have been hesitant to pull the trigger on anything, but we finally are in the processing of purchasing a cheap duplex we’re gonna see how it works out for short-term rentals.

I was looking to have it convert to a long-term mortgage and eventually cash out refinance to build a second duplex once enough equity built up