I'm working with a realtor, and it just doesn't feel like I'll find a wise investment.Jacksonville (especially in the beaches area, near the naval bases) isn't an area where people take care of their homes, so the amount you pay for a house that's really going to need a lot of work is astronomical.Any advice?

I'd agree it's B-class, which tells me not every unit is going to need major repairs, and not every major repair would be benefitting me financially.

So my question is, if I buy this duplex and want to turn this huge loft into a studio as a third unit, what am I going to need to do as far as zoning?

Are you going to need to put in turf or new shrubbery?

All new  agents are going to need some degree of "supervision" regardless of what their real estate philosophies are.

This is a simple transaction where you are unlikely to need a lawyer.

It is better to have it and don't needed, than to need it and don't have it.  

It seems common for these older properties to need some seismic retrofitting to increase the safety in the case of a major earthquake.  

I'm figuring that it's going to need new paint, flooring (maybe just cleaning), some repairs to drywall and door frames, interior doors, and perhaps power washing of the exterior. 

@Tiffany PayneHi Tiffany and Welcome to BP.Given the tone of your post, I believe you have already identified that the easiest financial move is to buy a duplex, triplex, or quadplex and rent out the other units.