There aren't too many duplexes that I see in the area.Value is so subjective that what is valuable to me is not the same value to someone else.So how then to determine the value in this equation?

I know this forum has books that are recommended, but you guys have something more valuable than books and that is experience. 

There is tons of valuable info to find.

Additionally, obtaining your degree unlocks other doors, which you might find valuable in the future. 

As a newbie your most valuable asset is education and experience, as Mike Wood said, start investigating the issue (gaining education and experience) start figuring things out as best you can (free) then start doing it yourself (not free but still inexpensive) then call in the pros if at each step you aren't solving the problem, each step gains you education and experience and the increasing costs are your education.Like Mike Wood said, start with the other unit seeing if you are duplicating the problem, if you are it's likely the main line to the sewer, if you're not duplicating the problem it's somewhere in your unit.

I am very eager to learn so please feel free to make any suggestions and give any advice that you think might be valuable.

@Steve VaughanVery valuable information.  

I considered propositioning town on  a shared piece of unbuildable land with common driveway or private road, but again no guarantees.My main question is: Is the extra land valuable to most?

IRR is a valuable calculation and we use it a bunch but we also use ROI/ROR for generic calculations and to that regard, some times our IRR in puts are generic giving us a ballpark IRR.  

Hi all,Learned a valuable lesson in our first real estate purchase.