In my leases I put clearly that if a tenant flags a request as emergency and it is determined to be their fault or not an emergency they are responsible for the cost.

Plus by taking long-term debt you have more flexibility (emergency case here) of a couple hundred if you came into financial difficulty. 

The idea of ownership is changing with the emergence of web3.0 :)Just my 2 cents, not financial advice.

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That means having procedure and protocol for every situation--or at least, every common situation. 

Quote from @Brandon Larson: It's important to have established policies and procedures, but I wouldn't put a lot of effort into that with only a duplex under management.

But for many people, it is one of a number of sources of deal flow, to add to MLS listings, wholesalers, direct owner outreach, auction, etc.Assuming you are specifically talking about sheriff auctions, just make sure you familiarize yourself with the general procedures for the auction.  

I also diversify into alternative real estate, like self-storage, to stay ahead of emerging trends.I’ve learned valuable lessons over the years, particularly the importance of clear communication and aligning expectations in partnerships.

You should consult a real estate attorney or tax advisor to handle the legal and procedural details.From a tax perspective, there are several implications.

Once you've done that for a couple years, you should have an emergency fund and the money for a downpayment.