I'll let someone else tackle the duplex vs. single question.  

I justified this because I could tackle this down payment on my own (no investors) and I wasn't relying on the cash-flow to get into the deal.

This is my fiances dream.I plan to have 8 rentals buy 6 years with 2 paid off and start tackling to mortgages on the others at that point so get a total passive income.  

Knowing just 20% can help you tackle 80% or more of the issues that will ever come up.

I honestly can't imagine not being there and trying to tackle that.  

With the increased issues relating to Fair Housing, it becomes even more important as almost every set of park rules and leases need revising in order to protect the community in certain issues related to Fair Housing and SACRA.The Iowa Manufactured Housing Association is planning to tackle this issue yet this year as the fines, penalties, and lawsuits against manufactured housing land lease communities continue to mount.

Go out and do something and slowly tackle those other things as you see the need. 

Someday we'll be tackling a deal together...if I can ever get these deals in KC!

At the same time, I am still looking for financial backing (a partner) to tackle this with.

Long story short, i refinanced, i was able to move back into my home and now i am in a much better place with a little bit more knowledge than before and ready to tackle this thing called REI!