Both require a postal permit so the saving is gobbled up fast.  

As someone who recently completed my first fix-and-flip project, I can share a few challenges that took me by surprise:Navigating the local permitting process was more complex and time-consuming than I anticipated.

Buy it as a duplex, do all the permits, etc, necessary for it to legally be a 3-unit.

I recommend you talk to an attorney to avoid making a legal mistake that permits them to stay longer.

I am planning on visiting the P&Z department in Douglas Co. to get a walkthrough of how to obtain a building permit this week. 

How would you pull permits if you can't do so yourself?  

We also have a pretty good relationship with all the neighbors which I'm sure helps.The reason for me not getting a permit once obtaining this property is very simple -- I was given this house from my father, and the town that I'm located in, you're not able to get a rental permit unless the house is owner-occupied.

I am all for it though in tourist recreation areas for sure .. 

Plus, depending on where you build, they can often be hard to permit.

This takes us about 2-6 months for permitting and another 6-8 months for construction (depending on the municipality).