I have a sick parent abroad and i am not there half the time, they kept raising the maintenance since i got there and i don't want to pay that when i am not there so my solution was to rent it out ... so while i agree its better for the building to have a lower percentage of rentals it hits people like me... 

@Mitchell HeinThe easiest way to describe the difference isA single stage system is like a pitcher with only a fastball.

You are talking about making minimum payments on your credit card to help finance repairs and according to your numbers the mortgage on the duplex is already at half of your monthly income. 

Most buyers I've worked with are happy to be within a half hour to the beaches, which these towns are.  

And 10 people hand me half a mil, sure I will let you come see the flips and STR you bought me, lol.

I have good enough cash flow to half the payoff time.  

How much are they charging...Move-in fees can not equal to or exceed half of the rent. 

I am surprised it only took you a year and a half to buy something if you are underwriting all properties with a 50% contingency.

I had a client right after Hurricane Michael who initially got offered half of what his damage actually was worth, but a skilled adjuster managed to get him a much more reasonable payout.Keep a Backup of All Your Documents:Store both digital and physical copies of everything-your insurance policy, receipts, photos, and videos.

I am converting this back to a duplex, going to live in one half and rent out the other.