Yes, it has softened lately, but outside of some niches (condos) I’d not call the US housing market a buyer’s market. 

Our profit margins were great, at around 25% per house.

There is also a house on my farm that I want to renovate, rent, and refinance. 

I'm particularly passionate about starting my portfolio and flipping my first house and then finding a couple of rental properties. 

I prefer to wait until the house is empty.

Short-term is to move into the space by January 2022 (as my lease ends then) and live there for at least 1-2 years.If I get the duplex, I would house-hack until it was my time to move somewhere else and rent both spaces within the duplex.

You've probably heard of big Landlords losing property, but only because they were flagrantly violating Fair Housing, running a slum, or otherwise violating the law in an egregious manner.

Does anyone have a contractor in the Rochester Hills, MI area they have worked with and would recommend for a whole house re-do, house is very dated with good bones.

I learned SO much reading and editing BiggerPockets contributors that I turned around and did a bunch of my own deals — a flip, 2 house hacks, 2 short-term rentals, and one long term.

I own a rental property (4 bedroom house)  and the Tenant is using the property as his business address for his construction business.