So when considering the question...Should I invest in the betterment of my properties you must consider not only the monetary aspects but also the "non-tangibles" How much happier will you be with really good tenants in your property versus ones that you can bare.  

Owner financing is the best bet(and my favorite) but if the owner owns this free and clear you will have to be agressive with a down payment.

His idea of risk was to hit the roulette table and bet black while his wife bet red.

HI Denny,5% down conventional financing is possible for owner occupied conventional 1 unit only the second you even attempt to go 2 unit you're already at 20% down payment so best bet is to buy using FHA 3.5% down on a duplex that is under market and then refinance into conventional afterwards.

So much depends upon your personal circumstances.If you are really close to broke and staying afloat by taking on more and more debt (which it sounds like you are) then probably a job, if you don't already have one, is your best bet for the time being.You have the right motivation.

So remember, you have to really have the education to know the fine line between jerks who sell excellent properties (because technically who sells you the property is completely irrelevant to you owning the property later) versus nice guys trying to sell you bad investments.

There are very nice benefits for being a Pro member and even though I haven't downloaded the ebooks I bet they are content full.Guru's are all about upselling.  

that depends on the builder... if they did a good job, that's probably the only one that will occur. talk to the neighbors and i bet they have the same cracks. ask them if it leaks.dont finish the basement. the ROI is not worth it unless you have done the numbers.

I made a big bet on Detroit, I bought 25 properties at rock bottom prices.  

I seriously doubt a judge would remove someone from title simply because they couldn't be served.If there is animosity between the two, then the best bet would be for You to find the girl friend, as a neutral third party, bearing gifts.