Work with a knowledgeable agent to identify suitable properties and navigate the buying process.

Stuart I have been with my commercial banker now since 1993.. started with a little 100k  LOC to buy timber and within 8 years I was the largest borrower at that bank at about 15 mil.. ( small community bank)  but we fought through the GFC together I had to start over and my banker kept one last  1mil LOC open for me so I could operate and since those dark says of 2010 he has gone on to fund 5 subdivisions for me  300 plus homes and 100 plus million in loans and this is based on relationship 100%..

Hello, I'm considering buying a duplex in Ft Wayne. 

When rates inevitably go down, prices will go up so people buying now will be able refi thus increasing cashflow while also getting appreciation.

In the future change your buy box to a value add box.  

Three properties for $170K sounds like a bargain, especially if you can force appreciation after a turnover.If the property is breaking even with the initial purchase, I would pull the trigger on this deal with plans to BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) the properties as each one turns over to recycle my cash if the numbers work out.

@Jorge MartínezIf the builder is offering incentives to buy down your interest rate and if there is some negotiation room on price the new builds can be a good investment because you'll have a lower monthly payment and new builds usually come with some type of warranty and will have lower maintenance cost because everything is new.

If you plan on buying 1-2 properties a year at $200k, is a commission between $3-6k.2.

BUT, if buying a new investment property you can use 75% of the appraiser determination of the new property.If on the tax return, you can use short term rental income OR long term income.

Congratulations about buying your first rental property!