Any poor condition, frayed or altered knob and tube wiring should be replaced.

Both conditions are curable. 

While yes, I want to make money, I also want to provide safe, clean affordable housing for people currently living in my conditions I had to be raised in.I love reading/audio books!

Provide your w-2 2019 2020, IRS returns, paycheck stub, last month bank statements and the target amount you desire, type of property, condition of property, vesting

Hard Money Lending (HML) for this purpose.Conventional LendingWill Require a Down Payment in all scenariosWon't allow a rehab budget on a duplexDoes have a 30 year fixed rate optionMight not approve the property at all if it's in very rough condition or if 1 major thing is wrong (like a foundation or a roof)Can be cumbersome, 30 days to closeLow interest rateHard Money LendingWon't Require a Down PaymentWill allow rehabShort term money only (so you have to refinance if you are keeping the property)Doesn't care about condition since you will have the rehab included in the loanSuper easy, can close quicklyHigher rate and higher feesSo here's how this all plays out:Conventional lending - will require 25% down payment on a duplex investment property ($34,250 based on your numbers above) + closing costs ($7,000?) 

Get a Licensed roofer to inspect it and give you a letter certifying it's condition, show this to the Ins.

Look at houses that sold in renovated condition that are similar.

Depending on the seller's condition, it may be a win win for both you and the seller.I am certain they are other creative finance options available that I must have missed, It may help some more if you connect with some of the investors in your area(via BP or your local meet up).Best of luck.

Maybe the units are in poor condition and they are properly priced at $500/month? 

Are the market conditions [number of people moving in or out of an area, supply of land and homes, regulation, income distribution, ect] the same in Detroit as they are in LA?