Plenty of investors have used this approach to grow their portfolios.

well I do plan on purchasing a duplex as my first investment and once I complete my Real Estate License during the time of my service I hope to be a lot more knowledgeable and approach SFH's to BRRRR but yes I understand!

I’m also interested in identifying the most scalable approach to support future growth.

Do your homework hereAre Raleigh's Suburbs Similar in How They Approach ADUs?

Best approach is to have your "team" set, before going out to secure properties. 

I’m seeking guidance on how best to approach this situation and would appreciate your thoughts on what you would do if you were in my shoes.Here are the details: My current home loan is $242,000, and the property is estimated to be worth approximately $420,000 (± $5,000).

I’m curious, when you’re entering a new market, what’s your approach to starting those in-person connections?

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

So you could also approach it from that angle. 

Thus, they are appraised as such - valued based off the sales comp approach - i.e how much have other similar single family homes sold for?