With a small down payment and only half the rent, finding a duplex thats going to cash flow significantly is extremely difficult.

If you can't articulate what you want or what you're looking for, it is extremely difficult for anyone to assist you. 

There are many people who have been active in the game during that period that have made millions off equity alone.Find a deal, run the numbers, and if it works, pull the trigger.

I just haven't pulled the trigger on it since the kids haven't stopped yet.2.

an damaged microwave , it smoked from overdraw with running 2 freezers off a unauthorised surge strip outlet on 15 amp an extreme overloads with 6 strip outlets an wires running out door [ many major  fire codes violations] Can the cost on electrician ,that proved the circuits were overloaded   - [an he warned her on nec an fire  codes  an dangers of her overloading outlets, an  the wires going out front door]    on that 15 amp she illegally ran a strip outlet w freezers  an other circuit w 15 plugs on 1 -- be deducted along with the microwave replacement cost since it popped an smoked kicking breaker by her unauthorised freezers?

Hope this will be helpful to helping you pull the trigger.

Would anyone be interested in sharing whether they would pull the trigger or have any suggestions?

My experience is they will not look into what you have done with your property in the inside or outside, unless you have a new mortgage loan/refi or a permit for construction or do something that triggers substantive difference of the value of the property (land and/or improvements).It may take less than one year after you buy for the tax assessor to value your property at recent sales comps, or it can be dormant for several years. 

Pull the trigger, these are good numbers.

Just fix them and move on.Thanks, but the configuration of unlocked outer door and mailboxes + intercoms in the foyer of a multi is extremely common here.