Recommend you get the Engineer up front.

@Jenna Kelley I just commented on another post about this as well, but if you are having foundational issues, do not call a contractor I would highly recommend calling a structural engineer as they are going to tell you exactly what needs to be done.

Hey Michael, I would recommend posting in the classified section of BP for your area and attending local RE meetups

I'd also recommend a triplex not a duplex.

What we found was only one other person contracted under $200 per square foot for clients and they also built within the city of columbus. the numbers have a much higher premium the closer you get to downtown. if you can't get the numbers to work my recommendation would be to get closer to downtown. we do build to rent development and single family home development and every line item is broken out. on the triples we have to build exterior staircases etc there are some things you can't really understand unless you build a lot. hope that helps but no one is going to build you for 110 a square foot. the lowest cost homes in our market at cost without a profit barely dip into 140 a square and we are in one of the cheapest construction markets and states in the country. 

Any insight on this specific market or recommendations for particular zips or neighborhoods with strong potential?

I also recommend @Wale Lawal as a great Realtor if you are looking!

I would recommend walking with at least 3 contractors at first, make sure to do them separately and see whose numbers align with your thoughts.

I could write an essay on why, but as someone who manages nearly 1,000 doors up and down the I-25 corridor, I can tell you these are not the investment vehicles I recommend to my clients and they are not what I personally would ever own. 

have a rental (multi family 2-4 units) needing major rehab. interested in learning what work can be learned/performed easily and what needs to be hired out to a contractor. recommendations for learning resources for DIY rehab (good youtube channels, etc) would greatly appreciated!