I’m aiming for a mix of appreciation & positive cash-flow after some value add work is done to the property over the course of first year of ownership.

Hey Cesar, you should  check out single family or duplex in Cleveland that can produce strong cash flow such as 44102, 44109 and 44111

Or it could have negative cash flow."

If you plan to hold it for a year, I would recommend a DSCR loan as long as the property and cash flow qualify.

How does that affect your cash flow?

Although it's made our cash flow a little tight having this additional monthly mortgage on the land, we have not been in a huge rush to build.

Here are some considerations for investing in a duplex in the Dallas area and potential alternatives:Investing in a Duplex:If you rent out one property, you can possibly create positive cash flow by partially offsetting your living expenditures.If you're an investor with limited funds, duplexes could be a more accessible alternative because they may have lower entry expenses than bigger multifamily properties.Perform in-depth market research in the Dallas region to pinpoint communities that have high demand for rentals and good prospect for real estate growth.Take a look at owner-occupant-friendly financing choices including FHA loans, which frequently have less down payments.Make sure you have a well-defined escape plan.

So take all that into consideration. 

Keep in mind there are lots of ways to make money in real estate and some strategies take more money to cash flow.

I don't see any deals from home trust, but I use them to gauge off market deal flow because of their size.