Undecided whether I should use my VA loan and purchase a duplex which is about $380,000 zero down and use the down payment money for repairs and upgrading each unit.On the other hand I can remain renting in Seattle, save money and invest on multifamily property outside the state of Washington.

I should be able to get it down to 10% of rents collected with a professional management company; however, I'm assuming since this is my first property there will be some headaches with coaching them how I'd like to approach ongoing communications, repairs, etc.

That $200/month can easily be wiped out with some expensive repairs due to hard partying or just lack of concern for the condition of the property.   

Living local will save you money in management and repairs/inspections.

Unless you think the property is hot and you buying it with enough equity in it to flip (consider 2 closing costs, repair and operating expenses), I would not recommend to borrow the down payment.

Do you all typically look for repair or replacement coverage in the event of a total loss? 

Are there major repairs needed that you (the seller) are aware of?

I found posts like this to be helpful when I was first learning about investing in real estate, so hopefully someone on here can get something out of it.Our goals were to cash flow $100 per month per door, have a cash-on-cash ROI of 12%, and achieve a total return of 20%.Purchase price: $179,900Our loan is a 30-year fixed rate residential mortgage at 4.25%25% Downpayment: $44,975Mortgage Payment (Principal & Interest): $663.75Operating Income$26,435 scheduled gross rents (4 units)$(1001) vacancy$600 garage rent$11 interest$26,045 gross operating incomeOperating ExpensesProperty Management (10% of gross rents): $(2543)Leasing fee for new tenant placement: $(550)Sewer: $(1397)Water & Trash: $(1232)Lawn care/mowing: $(350)Gas & electric during vacancy: $(228)City occupancy inspection aka government extortion fees: $(183)Maintenance & Repairs: $(3594)Property Taxes: $(2009)Insurance: $(983)$(13,069) gross operating expenseNet Operating Income: $12,976Mortgage P&I: $(7965)Cash Flow Before Taxes: $5,011Cash-on-cash return: 11%Equity Accrued: $2275Total Return: $7286Total ROI: 16%We hit our cash flow number almost exactly at $104 per door while our ROI and total return came in a little under our projections, but pretty damn close.

Repair estimate 5-9k.

I'm looking for recommendations for an honest, fairly-priced, and communicative general contractor for handling a few significant repairs.