Ned - I'd need some guidance on where to find a suitable auction site...ideas?

I would judge the suitability of a handgun for personal protection on the "one shot stop" data.

You will have some level of difficulty finding a suitable area searching for a duplex.

In my area, I never seen Banks more willing to negotiate and be creative with their distressed assets especially at the end of their fiscal quarters.If you are willing to expand your geographical area of ownership, you should certainly be able to find a suitable property.

I am trying to learn more about how my financial situation is viewed by lenders and what types of loans are suitable for me and available to me.

Also, you can invest or find these type of deals locally or in other suitable markets.

It must be a 1 unit property, suitable to occupy year round, you must maintain control of the property (no timeshare stuff), and no property management control of the property either.  

Think about the state you're buying into, the market, the statutes governing them, etc, then the strength of the enforceable rental agreements, then try to make a suitable judgment based upon which one (if at all) provides the best risk management for your particular performance metrics. 

And in my mind those properties are only suitable for those that live and work in the community and these assets are a commodity not an investment.. because they are not an investment per se as they never go up in value they go down usually and they are money pits when your in the super cheap ghetto war zones.. good job recognizing this and understanding that properties with hopes of appreciation because of area are to be considered in the full equation of investing in Cash flow rentals were ever that maybe.

There is a small issue of finding the correct cookware that is suitable for induction cooker.Maintenance wise, gas cooker is cheaper and easier.