That added risk means they'll pay less.Pursuing tenants who have vacated is usually break even at best. 

An appraiser is obviously going to inspect the house and our concern is that we then would not be able to finance as a duplex, not to mention the added property taxes.Listening to Brandon Turner's The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No and Low Money Down, we thought maybe this property would be a perfect candidate for seller financing?

I am about to start a new rehab project and was thinking about adding some sort of security system in it to monitor who is coming in and out of the house and overall security.

I have pondered such efforts too and the work, and added headaches, takes these 'passive' investments to really active in reality.

Washer and dryer inclusion may get you an extra $25-$50 a month, but you'd have to check what your competitors are offering as many apartments offer in-home and/or on-site laundry.You can also consider LED lighting, pet rent, storage rental as other ways to add value and increase rental income.

Good luck, hope I gave you a different perspective and actually added some value and depth to your situation.Bruce

I don't think the market compensates you enough for "newness" vs. the extra cost and complexity of building.There was a good article on Bloomberg about this last year that's worth reading to get a sense of the bigger economic forces/trends involved in this, America Needs Small Apartment Buildings.

It looks good on his ad, but anyone have experience with this person or this company?

I put new tile flooring throughout, added a closet to make a 3rd bedroom, new appliances, new paint, new counter tops, refinished cabinets and added new hardware, gutted and updated bathrooms, landscaped outside plus lots demo, fixed a roof leak, sheet rock work ect.. for $13,500.

Most of the companies here in Ga charge 15% commissions/fees on personal property, which is added to the high bid.