There are the factors that aren't on paper.

There is nothing you could possibly write on a piece of paper that convinces someone that they want to sell their home (except of course a ridiculously high offer). 

Thank you for pointing it out @Nathan G..I will write all your questions on paper and have them answered to have a clearer path.

The HML returns have been far superior to buy and hold PLUS you don't have the joys of tenants and toilets:)

Pretty much sign off on the lending and you have an investment.My fear is I sign paper on a property that doesn't exist, the contractor charges $50,000 in rehab charges on a property that didn't need anything.

Be in the paper game!  

All appliances, furniture, fixtures and even the toilets were all gone.

You hit the jackpot Very very good find, since usually in hoarder's houses, all you find are piles and monuments of feces and toilet paper

This is really competing for one of the stupidest things I've ever read on BP...lolSeriously - you want to continue paying for your living expenses elsewhere, and too boot loose money on a duplex because you want to keep one side vacant, which is in clear violation of FHA guidelines, by the way...Just flush your DP down the toilet.

Cash flow might look attractive in the midwest, but what's good on paper may not always pan out in reality.