The main question that comes to mind is: If i would like to grow capital to keep investing, is flipping my best option when compared to rentals?

Then compare just that to how much you pay in rent. 

I've been thinking of getting one myself, but that hold cost seems crazy compared to my investment and insurance licenses.

As such I can pull comparables from our local MLS on local investments and as a member of National Association of Realtors I have access to their RPR product that pulls comps for me nationwide.

I'm not looking to analyze the deal here but to see if anyone has seen these and what the additional issues might be compared to a normal duplex.

This is my only rental experience.I am curently reading and listening to podcasts and planning out my investments for when I move home and want to connect as much as I can prior to my return.Thanks for any resources!

So for example they'd had cost basis of like 25k, it'd be worth 500k, they'd refi 200k prior to the 1031...

I am with Keller William and was with another agency prior.

The last foreclosure sale I personally experience about 1 year ago went for about what the comparable sales in the area were selling for.

Check recent tax increases on properties you consider, expect the same in the future and then compare those increases with what the market will allow in rent increases.