It depends how long you plan on living.

For the BRRRR process I plan on using a hard money lender for the rehab process for the SFH's but what I'm not sure of is, should I purchase a duplex and rent one unit out and live in the other or should I just rent for now, not purchase a duplex and just purchase a SFH with cash and start BRRRR'n immediately?

Outside of aesthetics, make sure you have cleaners, maintenance and turnaround worked out so you go in with a solid plan.

I know that is a long pay back period but don't plan on selling anytime soon, plus you never know what nat gas prices will do. 

I currently have my investment portfolio all in North Jersey and planning on purchasing a number of units in Syracuse.

When the second phase was built, the units have the same floor plan, but they added individual heat pumps and individual hor water heaters in each unit, so that they were on the occupant's electric bill. 

You’d need a clear exit plan and enforceable lease terms to protect your investment.Think about the following:Tenant Risk – Can they truly recover financially, or will you face another eviction situation?

We are seeing a lot of investors have success with this strategy with plans to hold the properties they are rehabbing as rentals for several years before selling.

In smaller towns, this is usually a specific individual within the Planning Department. 

Thirdly, financing and potentially selling later on could be challenging again with the part of the plan being on a campground.