scope of work/rehab: converting to central HVAC (new), refinished hardwood floors through out, paint interior & exterior, new tile in kitchen & bathrooms, new tub stall, new faucets, new vanity, new water supply lines, new water shut off valves, new light fixtures, new outlets, new light switches, new countertops, refinished cabinets, new washer connection box & drain line, new dimensional roof (already installed), new front & rear doors, new closet doors. 

Wish I focused in one place because it can be a pain in the rear! 

One was located in the right rear section while the other was in the left rear section.PlumbingSome of the hose spigots were inoperable and this should be corrected.The hall bathroom tub was slow to drain and should be cleared by a plumber.ElectricThere was a double tap observed inside each main electrical panel that should be further evaluated and separated by an electrician.The kitchen outlet(s) were not GFCI protected and should be updated.

The old "spending the escrow" deal rears its head now and then in the Smokies. 

I'd suggest you serve a pay or quit or whatever your state requires to cover your rear.  

When you are new and don't know what you don't know yet - it can still be a challenge even if it seems simple -I have always ran into some snafu of sorts - whether big or small - you just never know what is going to rear its head - I once had all my numbers dialed in and was in the very last stages of closing when I found out at the last minute that the lender was going to require flood insurance - well.. . this was an assault on my cash flow - however , luckily I still had enough meat in the deal so that it works out - still - it was my 5th investment property and took me by complete surprise - but now I know to check for that in advance when running my numbers - and I'm sure I will run into an unknown in my next property - in fact I am getting  a good education right now about working with city on a burnt duplex with over 60K  in city fines and learning about how they deal with new buyers and what fees they need to recover and what fees they don't. 

My only background in RE are some courses I've took in college(General RE, no particulars), Independent study on ways to invest in RE, and I'm very interested in RE investing through "Subject To" and Wholesaling.

What they can do, however, is help to ensure that a stumble doesn’t precede a painful fall to the rear of the pack.

I'm personally rearing at the bit to get out and start advertising and talking to sellers.

are duplexes a big pain in the rear, or are they a decent choice for buy and holders?