This is where a skilled agent should be adding value to you with a great understanding of your local real estate laws.  

With time, you'll be paying the loan down and hopefully have more appreciation, both/either will be adding more equity to the property. 

I think house hacking a duplex in midtown/downtown can be possible, but the success stories I have heard included some element of creativity, luck, and/or rehab.. i.e. things like the property had a basement, or there was a surprise extra 500 SF not in the listing (so property was suddenly discounted in price and a new room could be added), etc.  

I own 5 mulitfamilies.. and will be adding 2 more to my portfolio by January.

Some supply houses do it at their place and others weigh it out and send it along with the driver to be added at the last minute. 

Vermiculite is very lightweight sort of like styrofoam beads.

Just as there are many  wannabe mentees with no drive, there are just an many wannabe mentors with no knowledge.Adding value is a great way to make connections, but remember that YOU are the one adding value to someone else and their business and they should be adding value to you as well, not just taking what you have given.

The garage can always be added at a different time and you can take that 40k you save to put that down on another house.  

Your wearlayer should be at least 12mil if you plan for it to last for more than one tenant anf MUST have either an Aluminum oxide or Ceramic bead finish for scratch resistance.

I thought it would only be added to my profile.