Ive got a question on the "Post-Process" for driving for dollars.I drove around today and found multiple unkempt homes that were merit to chase as a potential abandoned home.  

I've been reading my area might not be the greatest for Duplex investments, is there merit to this?

Irving is a strong market and the deal may very well have merit. 

Base your decisions on the long-term merit, not the $20k @Chad Coates .  

The merits of whether or not this is the highest yielding investment will surely show that you should have leverage and a 401k, but that is not necessarily what was asked. 

@Rob Forest Whether for sale by auction or otherwise, every property should be treated on its own merits, always requiring "due diligence" research.

Every market is different in so many ways that using it as even a guideline can do more harm than good.Bottom line, learn how to estimate rehab, analyze markets, and analyze deals on their own merits...and above all, never argue with the numbers.

Each potential investment should be looked on it's own merits.

My problem with most buyer's agents is that they want to sell me the property rather than advise me on the merits or demerits of the property. 

A recent forum discussion on the merits of trying to make a difference low-income neighborhoods can be found here by @KJMiller.