Hi Kirschlan,I'm originally from BR and live in SC now.

@Victor Nguyen for starting out either is fine if the numbers work, but if you do a duplex I would recommend starting with the a side-by-side duplex the first time you do one rather than a multi-floor building.The reason being is that managing multis (duplexes) with tenants living over each other come with different problems such as noise complaints, and can limit your options accepting pets.

I went to college at George Fox and live just south of Salem.

Not sure if it matters, but I live in Washington State.

I am contemplating on my current project on wether  I should make the current apartment a 3 bedroom but sacrifice the living room space or make it a 2 bedroom with a bigger living room space .

Local government is landlord friendly and taxes and cost of living are lower.

We live in 1 unit and will rent the others.The issue at hand is that one tenant has/had a verbal contract with the previous landlord (they are family). 

I’m helping her out because she lives out of state and obviously can’t open in person an escrow account.

I live in New England. 

We live in a suburb, no duplexes/triplexes here, only SFH, THs, and condos.