Stephen, Nice looking website. 

As a freelancer, banks aren't exactly excited about my profile... but I've got a nice nest-egg and a will to win, just need a direction to head in.

I see some of the old duplex buildings are nicely renovated. 

Nice.... trying to answer the question yourself!

Finally,  you could go the VBRO or AirBnB route, which as sone merits and seems to dovetail in nicely with what you are doing. 

If you sell just the land on payments rather than for cash, you could potentially get a nice down and a totally retail price, one payment at a time, which also locks up your money, unless you sell the note. 

I didn’t look at the Fed minutes today but the “tone” for the past couple of months is “rated will increase”.

So don't be shocked if a.) that was their intent when they bought the place to being with or b.) they just don't want to sell so "capital gains" is an easy way to avoid telling a nice guy "go kick rocks".  

I mean a crushed credit report would suck but it’s not exactly hard dollars.Anyway, expect the owner or their agent to say (with an incredulous tone): Why would I want to do that?!?!?!

Nice Peter!