Raider Nation will show up, but not sure I'd rely on them to boost home prices.

You should bifurcate the total interest of the cash out and put some towards the rentals and the appropriate amount towards your personal residence. 

For 1950s houses in the one package, I have a hard time believing total expenses are 35% of rents.

I'm looking for a true professional that I can rely on that is not trying to take advantage and would like to build a relationship.

This cannot be decided without a total picture of both the duplex finances and your finances as individuals. 

Remember, advice you get on the internet will not count if IRS determines that you commuted prohibited transaction, but attorney's advice you can rely on. 

It is illegal in MA for a contractor to require more then 1/3 of the cost of the job upfront unless there are custom materials that total more than 1/3, then they can charge the amount of the custom materials. 

The replacement cost of the breaker panel was $1800 for a total of $2500 due to lack of knowledge on this topic.

Total newbie question...

If they totally screw it up, you may lose a little money, but you won't be one of the horror stories on here where a contractor has an entire house torn apart and isn't getting anything done.