Being a contractor himself helped bring down the rehab budget.

New construction may be an option, many builders are offering rate buy downs and closing cost assistance and then you get quicker appreciation when they continue to build out the community.

I hope to build our property management up to that level someday. 

I am looking for a recommendation of a contractor.

Starting in REI can already be a little nerve racking, so I recommend doing your first deal on the easiest mode you can to build your confidence and build your skill set.If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy a personal home with 3-5% down then repeat every 12-18 months.

Hello, I am looking to buy my first investment property, I am a contractor so renovating or finishing out a property that isn't 100% turnkey is not a problem.

I'm looking to buy a plot of land for $30,000 and build a duplex on it to househack.

That's another good tool for wealth building when used correctly.Once you jump that first hurdle it gets a lot easier. 

We saved lots of money and time, by condo-ing a 17 townhouse complex as well as condo-ing and existing building built around 1900. 

The HOA covers all water, flood and building insurance, internet, bug spraying etc. and it's $1562 a month.