However, with high rates, the next mortgage would be very expensive, and a vacancy would be intensely expensive with two mortgages.

Keep in mind, it would be in your best interest to go for as high as 4 units on each purchase to maximize your door count. 

High rental demand (Section 8 too).

This normally would not be an issue but the cost of the water/sewer is extremely high in this area and specifically because the meter is a one inch, the costs are much higher than a normal 3/4 inch on a non-duplex. 

I highly recommend you start going to meetups.  

The interior was made up of high efficiency HVAC systems, contemporary lighting, and electric water heaters.

The guarantee of getting paid and a high hourly rate would be what would entice them to use the hourly rate structure over a commission structure.  

Ask the people in Florida who now have sky high insurance and mandatory unplanned assessments, how much value having a paid off property is. 

While Colorado's market can be challenging due to high prices, exploring suburbs like Colorado Springs or Pueblo, or even considering out-of-state markets in the Midwest or Southeast, can open up better cash flow opportunities.

Ask yourself: Do you know ANY highly successful real estate investors or sales pros who sleep in, waste time, and still crush it?