So you're thrilled that you'll be living more comfortably, AND paying less in utilities.

If you honestly feel it will damage your unit, then perhaps offer to buy half of that vaporizer for them - they'll be thrilled and you'll have no smells. 

I think @Clint Moore is right about the predatory lending rules being tough once you get into lower loan values.I've never tried, but I guess technically you could try to hope for a good appraisal and take out a larger loan... could be a gamble though.Could you do a HELOC on your primary residence and use that to buy the duplex?

I don't like gambling, I only like to make bets I can win.

Oh, one last thing: there's a tribal gaming casino planned to be built in the southmost-central portion of the city which people take as a great benefit or the end of the world, depending on how you feel about gambling and/or money. :)

I can't say that I have been thrilled about this, but that is how it's done

I am not advertising the field trip, but I was so thrilled with the experience that I got out of it, that I brag about it to all of my investing friends as a great way to find out more about real estate investing and about the Dallas market.

At the end of the day - it's a fantastic way to make a living and the thrill of nailing the occasional $100k profit deal keeps the excitement there year after year

I've thought of Tryst Development, Deluxium Development, Di Lusso Development but not really thrilled with any of them. 

I can't afford to gamble.