Logic and everything I read says that offering the listing agent the full commission (i.e. not using a buying agent) should make your offer more attractive. 

Or what is the main part of house that you look to work on to add value?

The buyers are reluctant to mortgage the property, so we have been looking at various ways to attract equity to fund the initial down payment.

The main variable is rent achieved or acquisition of land costs.You have to compare a new site versus buying an existing building for less than it cost to build per sq ft and retrofitting.

The Duplex is in the Parkridge area of Knoxville and is currently two 1/1 on the main level, with a stair case down to the basement that used to be a two car garage.

My main concern is preparing for a life of living off of rental income, which hopefully is within the next 7-10 years.

I'm mainly interested in buy&hold rentals.One question I'm always wondering about is how are investors selecting areas to buy in? 

@Frankie Woods  I'm mainly interested in multi-family as my tenants would be under one roof and I feel that I'd be able to pay the property off quicker due to multiple rents. 

Mainly, the systems implemented are fascinating (VA, automated offers, etc.)

It already has electric, but it's off the main house meter,  If I do a submeter then we have to read it and calculate each bill, which is hard for tenants.