but I just had our second kid 5 weeks ago and we've decided it would make more sense for me to stay home with the boys and start focusing on real estate investing.I've been searching through the forums and it doesn't seem like there are too many BP members out here in the panhandle.

At the time of purchase I was not expecting property appreciation, but based on my purchase price, I can't imagine seeing any appreciation, even after 15-20 years.Thanks Kelly,Did you post anywhere else that I might have missed so I can also reply on those platforms?

Also the tax amount on the tax rolls is not the tax you pay in the future, it is based on the new sale price and will increase according in due time. 

Call an insurance broker and see what options they have based on what and where you are buying. 

Looking forward to your input.TroyView report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

Try to make your decisions based on that and not as if it were your personal home.

There are a few Duluth or Superior based folks active in the forums with varying degrees of regularity.  

My engineer did briefly mention to me this was a risk but felt comfortable defending our position based on our compliance with AASHTO and we never discussed again.

Based on what I have read in this thread, I believe the general consensus is "why".

Single-Family Home with a Basement:Pros:Familiar single-family living with potential rental income.Can be a good starter home, quieter living if the basement is well-soundproofed.Potentially lower initial investment compared to a duplex (depending on renovations).Cons:Finding tenants might take longer, especially if the basement isn't a fully formed apartment.You'll be responsible for all maintenance and repairs for both units.Less separation between your living space and the rental unit.Multifamily Duplex:Pros:Clear separation between your living space and the rental unit.Potentially higher rental income with a full, separate unit.Faster tenant search as it's a more traditional rental format.Cons:Might be slightly more expensive upfront than a single-family home with a converted basement.Potential for noise complaints if the duplex isn't well-built.Dealing with potentially two sets of tenants (though vacancy rates are typically lower with duplexes).So, which one to buy first?