Septic field lines failed and I have to put a small Elgin septic system in the front yard between driveways of this duplex.

I would leave the landscaping in the front yard as is.

You can also use some low-down payment mortgage products to continue buying in your back yard while house hacking and renting to others. 

If they say they can't swing it, should I just go ahead and rent to them at $1,550? 

By year end I will tackle a MF, value add with my son that would be sweet if we can swing the coop/tic (handling the finance challenges is the hurdle) so he ends up with a unit at below 50% of retail.  

Rest are yard/snow plow, plumber, electrician, hot rod enthusiast, and a regional Power drink distributor.7. 

If you want to swing for the fences, that 3 yr, value-add deal with floating rate debt may be the right fit.  

Yard signs, car magnets, and even business cards still go a long way.

It took me and my wife 17 years and more units to get to that level, but our units are SFH's in our back yard in a small midwest town with average rents under $1,000. 

Quote from @Andrew Syrios: Make sure to swing by the MAREI meetup groups.