I kinda agree with @Larry T. there is presently a storefront vacant building right at the corner of where i leave, the store is rented out but the apartment is vacant and it has been like that for at least 2yrs.You also need to be wary of the location, correct me if i am wrong but buildings were there are apartments and stores are technically in D, E locations which could have a lot of issues. this is based on my drive and stay in Rochester NY.Your located in NYC, i think you could take a day or weekend off to come down here and check the neighborhood out.

So my question is should I try and link up with and shadow/work on a sweat equity basis/offer to help out in any capacity with other investors in my area before I purchase my first deal on my own, or is that route more advised for people with little to no construction and or Real Estate background?

@Bill Gulley with your background I think you may be a prime candidate to answer this one, but others certainly may know as well.

@Duane Gunkler - So, a little background, I got serious about this in June of this year.

I thought you can't technically have access to the home to do work in it until after closing?

@Stephen Stokes, Technically a duplex is not a multifamily property, that may help with your research in the future, but I don't think that it made a difference this time.  

At least that background gives me a leg up on analyzing deals.At 168 hours, I figure that's a pretty cheap "entry cost" to figure out in more certainty whether or not I want to be in the industry as a profession.

When they run a report on you, you need to know what on it before they do.To understand how these behemoth credit agencies came to life, I'll share background on them.The credit bureaus themselves have interesting histories.

I do have a legal background.

If someone applies and pays the $40 for credit/background checks, am I required to pay them back if I don't accept them?