My view is the insurance is not only valuable if it is used.  

You don’t get to just expense the additional real expenses.

Additionally, are there any other factors I should be considering when purchasing a duplex or triplex?

I agree and additionally I'd recommend going down to the store and actually feeling them.

Real estate wealth is built through long term price appreciation, property becomes (usually) more valuable over time, especially if purchased in areas that have either gone through development or redevelopment.  

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

Thank you for the warm welcome and for sharing those valuable insights!

The city wants to tear the property and surrounding properties down Zillow said it’s worth 38000The city offer me 13000.I could use some adviceHard to give advice with limited information, but as a general rule, the longer you wait and the further down the line their project is the more valuable your property will be to them.Zillow (and all automatic online) estimates are very unreliable, so don't base on that.

The lone ranger approach works for some people, and I'm certainly not saying this is the only way or the "right way" to success, but for me and others in the community, it has been valuable and rewarding.

So for the additional three bedrooms, I plan to Airbnb and/or expand the shared-housing community I currently have for women in transition at my duplex .