If I’m able to get an offer accepted at below 150, say 130 or 140, and put 20% down, would I be able to pull my money out of it @ the 80% after the appraisal?

Considering your goal of house hacking a duplex, while FHA loans are common for first-timers, there are alternative financing options to explore:Conventional Loans: Need more credit and down payment, but offer flexibility. 203K Loans: Ideal for fixer-upper duplexes, bundling purchase and renovation costs.VA Loans: Great for vets—no down payment, competitive rates, and no mortgage insurance.Portfolio Loans: Private lenders, good for unconventional income or credit histories.Hard Money Loans: Quick, high-interest, good for investments or major renovations.With $30,000, mix it up—use it for a down payment, maybe pair with a conventional or FHA loan.

Ensuring all legal and financial processes were completed swiftly was crucial.

Just be aware of the legal environment in your state, and make sure you market your position in the contract and not the property itself.

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – so, they often select the first PMC they call or that calls them back!

Obviously the C and D neighborhoods will offer higher cash flow at a lower price point, but there's also some good opportunities in A- to B neighborhoods depending on what your strategy is.  

We have held it since then and are not planning to sell because our children have asked us not to.Good luck on your search.It was disappointing, BUT, I now had contact, why not make an offer.

At the cost, and given the benefits of most mortgage insurance offerings, is it worth it to pay (however much extra it is)?

Sell Note – We solicited offers for the notes via several channels.

Ensuring all legal and financial processes were completed swiftly was crucial.