Rents are just very high in my areaI decided to order one new for 900$ that is a compromise..

Don't get lured in if it's going to compromise your goals.  

I'd rather make less money than compromise.

Best,Both of you are right, the dumbest thing you could do is to compromise - and hire a cheap PM to "save" money.There is an argument to be made to self manage, because nobody watches your money (and properties) like you do.

I would sit down with the contractor and try to come up with a compromise.

Building a new team, working with new people, and compromise was a large part of the early roadbumps.Additional skills gained around raising capital, and putting together a real estate syndication.

These upgrades may increase the value of the townhouse down the line when you decide to sell but will compromise cash flow in the short-/mid-term. 

If there is a fire in the future and you made a change that compromises the integrity of your unit and the unit next to yours, you could very well be held liable, with potentially very serious consequences. 

It will give you the business protection that you are looking for without compromising your position with the Lender by transferring the property into an LLC.

Location: Not all areas have a suitable supply of duplex properties, so you might have to compromise on location.Ultimately, whether a duplex is better than a single-family house for you depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and willingness to manage tenants and propertyAs far as appreciation, its market dependent.