@Godsheritage Adeoye And for anyone else considering this... in Baltimore City you need a current lien certificate to record a deed.

If the deposit does not cover the charges, then you should consider whether you want to pursue collecting the unpaid balance or write it off.You did the right thing, and the tenant's behavior proves you were right.

In my case, I wasn’t sure my land qualified because it was essentially my back yard, but because it was always a separate lot from my house, I was able to still do it because raw land without improvements on it is always considered investment property.

For more accuracy, consider using a rehab estimator tool or consulting a contractor.To determine the After Repair Value (ARV), research comparable properties (comps) that have recently sold in the area.

Remember up to four units is still considered residential. 

I, like you run my firs duplex with the same culture of focusing on customer service.

Having one can definitely speed up your process, especially when considering a HELOC or bringing on investors.

If you are willing to make a business out of this, then go for them and consider the following:You are an active investor working to generate 25-30% equity on a property.

How much are you considering investing?

You can - 1) establish a trust for asset protection, 2) utilize the Homestead Exemption for property protection, 3) consider tenancy by the entirety for marital property (this might just be applicable to California, my home state)4) make sure you have adequate liability insurance for additional protection, 5) think about forming a business entity to shield assets, 6) and have proper estate planning for asset distribution.Seek tax and legal advice from experts in your state.