However, with the rates and conditions of any triplexes and fourplexes we could find (we did find one, but it's in the Pendleton Heights suburb of KCMO, so we were worried about it being too dangerous of an area), we were wondering if it's worth it to buy a duplex and rent out the other half to help pay the mortgage, or if it's more worthwhile to rent an apartment and try to save up to buy a residential or commercial MFH later?

What I can say is I recently did a home inspection on a property which uncovered a lead inlet pipe into the house. 

BiggerPockets website is good for the American market (mostly) but you will also find lots of Canadians on here and some good info on the Canadian market just by searching.There are worthwhile local West Coast resources for learning real estate investing in general and the Canadian and Vancouver markets in particular.

Sometimes the incrementalsavings from $1,000 to $2,500 or from $2,500 to $5,000 are too small to make the higherdeductible worthwhile.

This thread has been helpful, and I think really any situation where a tenant has demonstrated the kind of behavior I was concerned about should be uncovered (and can therefore be documented) in the vetting process.

Sharing your findings could uncover some valuable insights for everyone!

It may be worth while connecting them with the HOA.

It’s about uncovering high-demand niches that hold up even during fluctuations in the broader market.What I’m describing aligns partly with absorption, but I’m looking for a tool that allows me to drill down into the components of that absorption rate—filtering by factors such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, home type, amenities, and more.Do you see merit in this approach?

Apply the 70% rule to determine your maximum allowable offer, then negotiate and get the property under contract, ensuring your agreement includes inspection and financing contingencies.Arrange professional inspections to uncover any unforeseen issues, using these findings to negotiate concessions or confirm your repair budget.

They offer more than just savings—you build relationships, gain leverage, and uncover opportunities no one else knows about.