In this case the seller lived in another state and through the use of bigger pocket tools you can prepare a presentation to the seller and show them that your a "sure bet".

If there is a high owner occupancy rate then I think you might be able to sell at FMV but don't bet on it! 

I bet there are houses that cash flow fine within 1 - 1 1/2 hrs of where you live.

@Jay Walcott it sounds like you have a good plan, but I think your best bet is going to be locating motivated sellers that don't already have wholesale contracts in place.

Depending on what town and the size/condition of the apartment, you might be able to get more than $1200 a month for a 2 bedroom with the lack of available rentals on the market currently.

. - Perhaps you're right, but I would bet that pushing the heating costs on the tenants will result in a rent decrease that is less than the fuel savings; so you will get a net-positive gain. 

I forget the exact statistic, but there is a good sized percentage of credit scores/histories with mistakes on them.Heck, I currently have two past 30 day late payments on my Home Depot credit card. 

Tim:Since you're planning on living in the duplex (at least for a year, I would assume), an FHA loan could very well be your best bet.  

Will this likely change things or will they go back to that old size?

Don't go out finding properties with no rhyme or reason and hope to find buyers later.And I would bet if a buyer found a property on MLS he is interested in, he would just buy it.