There's a lot of Lipstick on Pigs folks out there that can ruin a home and ruin it for professional rehabbers. 

Renovating the second floor (Unit #2), front inside and outside entrance, rear foyer, backyard, basement and general lipstick work on the first floor (Unit #1) What was the outcome?

Renovating the second floor (Unit #2), front inside and outside entrance, rear foyer, backyard, basement and general lipstick work on the first floor (Unit #1) What was the outcome?

If you take care of all the repairs before hand and not just throw lipstick on a pig, then you will have a viable asset that's trustworthy, to where you don't have to worry about maintenance issues)Does it make sense to buy a duplex and the other unit only covers 50-60% of the mortgage?

Some people would probably be better off with a "lipstick flip" for the first project, i.e. paint and carpet, but they tend to be slim margin deals like you said.

Sort of Lipstick on a Pig. 

In charlotte prices range from $13 per sqft for a lipstick rehab to about $50 per sqft for a full gut job.

It's a much easier way of getting started and learning the process of how everything works.If anything, look for houses that basically need "Lipstick on a pig", houses that would look great with minor updates such as new flooring, paint, appliances, etc. 

The interior fixes have been simple and we “put lipstick on a pig”.

Mostly just needs lipstick rehab.