We are a family owned design build, he cared much about that as well, he wanted to help us.

- Nobody in here is comfortable answering this question. 

To me, this would have never been the conversation a few years ago when rates were more comfortable for the average investor (likely 5% and below), but it is the reality we are in now!

Then the buyer did some small things that didn’t give me much comfort...like holding the contract and changing terms.

It's going to be less comfortable and more work, but a SFH in a good location is going to appreciate much better than a duplex in a less desirable location. 

It's all about your comfort zone and how much attention you can give it. 

Alabama counties don't all designate it the same, but in the largest county, Jefferson, R/S means that no one bid on the property at the tax sale so the property was bid in by the state and then it was ReSold to an investor. 

Simply because the design doesn't promote death benefit, it promotes cash value growth.

You'll want to use your skills and some creativity if you want to push yourself farther into the "profitability" side of the scale over "comfortability".  

I believe that the design of the property wouldn’t be a problem, however I would like some ideas on how to make this lot buildable in the eyes of the zoning department.