I specialize in low income housing around South Phoenix, so if I wanted to build a 3000/sqft fourplex I was looking at $300k(Plus other costs) for a building that would bring in maybe $500/month before maintenance costs.If you have access to people who can see a development project all the through, where it actually brings in decent cashflow let me know.Good Luck

I am looking to get into a duplex or 3 plex as a first home and am wondering if there is Any way around this besides simply waiting for my credit to improve.

If you've got the capital, or access to it, I've got a team built for flipping houses here. 

That could potentially improve your ROI. 

I cannot tell him to send a message with any questions or decision to email address I don't have the access to.""

Pros:Strong cash flowMajor affordable housing shortage in the countryBarrier to entry - zoning prohibits new parksPride of ownership - the residents own the homeLower operating costs - the residents own the homeLower touch - the residents own the homeSticky residents - costly to move a homeEasy to raise rents - costly to move a homeRecession resistant asset class - affordable rentLarge private equity funds are entering the space - drive prices upMom & pop ownership - opportunities to improve NOI and valueLower entry cost per door - less capital neededCons:Not sexy - smaller resale pool (but that's changing)Stigma - some counties try to stop operations (poorly operated parks, criminal activity)Stigma - some people don't want to live in oneLower credit quality residentLess appreciation potential, unless forcedNiche investment - helps to have scale to properly operateMany banks don't understand it - tougher to financeOlder assets in many cases

I also ask them to leave me a 5 star review, and if it wasn't 5 star to please tell me what I need to do to improve it.Thats all I can think of for now.

In that case, I would think the seller or seller's agent would need to be the one to facilitate access to the house to allow your due diligence (ie: estimating rehab). 

Did you set up a bank account that the tenant has access to?

As you add money to the deal through capital improvements, repairs, etc, etc, your COC return would come back to earth but still be very large.