(Note to investor: I know you feel like your acting stupid as a real estate investor when you do that technique above, but what you are doing is raising the emotional temperature of the seller. 

I know you're looking for RE related books, but applying Dave Ramsey's techniques is the real source of "not living paycheck to paycheck."

Just a technique we use to have the sellers feel a wee bit more comfortable.

My old Boss would call this the "ready, fire, aim" technique;-)We had "Ask the Builders" last Tuesday (link in my signature below) @Ray H. has got it, proceed with caution.

I'm currently marketing for off market deals through direct mail and other various marketing techniques. 

Your plan provider can confirm whether or not it matters as a duplex.One technique for starting investing is staying as a renter and taking advantage of primary residence financing and other benefits, just like your potential duplex here (15 year 401k loan, easy insurance, FHA loan, etc.) and then you do something similar again with property #2 (even if you don't plan to leave property #1).  

If you want to achieve this technique.

I hadn't ever heard of this on a condo before, although I know adding a bathroom is a popular flip technique here in the Bay Area on single family's.

To be honest I wouldn't recommend doing things you may hear on the podcast like letters just because its just because the technique is really over-saturated in the greater Boston Area.

We do have a deal that she can only use them for educational purposes until she is fully finished, then it's up to her to decide.The other advantage of this technique is that she is learning the business, both in having to get her hands dirty in the rehab and cleanup (TOTALLY what a 12/13 yo loves...not) , and now in following the financials of managing a rental.