STEP 1.

I am wondering if I need to get a realtor involved or what should be my next steps in buying my first duplex to house hack? 

Not sure of condition or current tenants, but is it crazy to actively pursue this one for a first property?  

I'm going to be pursuing multi unit rental properties that I will "hack" by living in them for the first year. 

The first step would be zoning....typically you will Not change zoning from single family to multi family, unless the directly adjoining properties are already multi family.....so all the other questions are likely moot.

My partner and I are just starting out with getting into real estate, and we feel that we should take some steps to formalize our partnership first before we really dive in and get ahead of ourselves.

So, I was pursuing some wholesaler listings and noticed that the county appraiser's values are 30k-40k less than the wholesaler asking value.

I got licensed as an agent in CT less than a year ago - ultimately to save myself (and even earn) money on deals I pursue! 

Very excited about this big step- but also very nervous.

If the seller has children or a spouse that will inherit the property when they die, the tax basis in the property will step up to the current value for the heirs.