I know a builder who does duplexes, but buying one would be so much faster.

Some guys have better cost models and understand that they are contractors not builders and their pricing needs to reflect that.

Find out what the builders paid for them and compare the tracts.

I have a coach through Fortune Builders right now but have not discussed Creative Financing strategies.

Good to know another builder in MD.  

Staten Island seems to be a tough market to get into with all of the usual suspects (Big Builders) snatching a lot off good deals before they hit the market.  

For example you see a house under construction, pull the sales info and see what the builder paid for it.

Price $5MMDown 20% ($1 MM)Interest ~6% (which I inflated)30 yr fixed 8-year property tax exemption (already approved)3,390 sf of retail space150 underground parking spaces Monthly payment ~$24k It will be a brand new 5-story 163-unit apartment complex (the builder is the seller).

You may want to consider a JV with an established Builder/Developer in your city.

One of the hedge fund managers spoke of how tons of money are being thrown at these sights and there will be an explosion of IPOS with incredible valuations .For builders small and big  there is no shortage of funding.