Of course, it doesn't help that the first three months for me have a 3 day weekend (July 4), 1st day of the month on a Saturday, and another 3 day weekend (Labor Day).  

-James It has a trolley line and at least three bus lines that run through it, not bad IMHO. 

I currently only have three rentals so it will be awhile before they produce some serious returns.

I'm in Ferndale and pay around $110 for a duplex I own quarterly that has three tenants.

We had one break when my husband in his wisdom decided to try to slide it in himself with three people standing there to help. 

Your building may be currently in good condition, and your exit plan is for a three-year or shorter hold, then you can consider that in the recommendation to collect adequate Capital Replacement Reserves.3) Inspections - Include an inspection provision, and most importantly engage a qualified, competent property inspector who can verify the condition of all of the building and equipment you are buying.

After three days of calling and trying to get a hold of her, she finally called me back and said she would pay but she would need the things fixed first.

Three years in a treasury as opposed to a 7.5% CAP multifamily is ostensibly a self inflicted tax....if that spread were considerably less, I might be more inclined to pay the tax and move in to the treasury.  

My goal is to A) keep my personal housing costs low to B) generate cash flow when I move out and, as a lifelong renter, to C) begin to build equity.I think the duplex accomplishes all three goals.However, I also think that I could accomplish A and C by purchasing a single family house and could accomplish B by investing the difference in mutual funds.Does that line of thinking make sense?

A little about me: I'm an active duty Navy Diver, I grew up in Chicago, lived in HI for three years and now live on the peninsula of Washington state.