This could significantly lower your living expenses - that is unless the tenant moves out.If you are not planning on staying in that neighborhood for long or are considering a major life change (i.e. marriage, job change, children etc), owning a duplex could allow you to shift from homestead to investment property and benefit from the dual income stream when you move.

I am the investor half of an investor/broker marriage.  

Does every date result in a marriage?

Hard to distill my real estate experiences in just a paragraph...and I really do want/need to connect with others who may identify with my situation and location.I'm Maureen, and I live (and invest) in Purcellville, Virginia, a small Washington, DC, exurb in western Loudoun County.I sort of stumbled into real estate in 2009, when I went through a divorce after a 20-year marriage.

Welcome @Brad Vancil Fellow Iowan here (by marriage)Wholesaling can be a great start, I'm considering wholesaling as well currently.

My wife worked early in our marriage as a RE broker's assistant, and recently became a licensed real estate agent with one of the largest firms in the area.  

I would try your county offices to see if there is a public list available of marriage licenses issued. 

They will accept that this is something you do and will respect your ability to manage this part of your life.As time passes on and you find this love of your life and the eventual marriage proposal ensues, the time will come when you’re going to want to separate business from pleasure.

Why do you strive to have a better marriage?

Welcome to BP @Stephanie Ugboaja and congrats on your marriage!