I just wish I knew this going in so I would take that into consideration with my repair costs .

Houses are continuing to rise in value, and inventory levels are starting to rise.

1) If you live in it (Ex. buy a duplex and rent out the other side) you an use can FHA loan at 3.5% down.2) If you are not going to live in it you will get an investment loan which usually requires a 20-25% down payment.Other possible considerations: closing costs (a few thousand $), repair costs, insurance/property taxes, Several months reserve loan payments

As your income rises, maybe you will have a softer market to deploy your strategy of purchasing a duplex.  

I've noticed as a homeowner (BRRRR at the moment) and as an investor that the price of water is steadily rising and approaching the $125/month coast on a two/three-flat.

So, I did the following: - Gave her a lease option agreement, taking her 8% as Option Consideration, and taking out a "Note" on her car for another 12%.

I will explore more and take your advice into consideration moving forward.

Prices are rising but still within reach.I can also definitely vouch for Jeremy,  He manages a couple of properties for us and we've been very happy with him. 

Or if the 2nd floor tenants are actually unreasonably noisy, send them a warning letter and then if no change, ask them to leave.That said, if you want to placate the first floor tenants you could have an "energy audit" by RISE Engineering where they look at the house especially in terms of heat loss and come up with a proposal to add insulation and other energy-saving features (and give you free LED light bulbs :).I'm not saying that insulation is the same as sound proofing at all.

But, as long as your clients get to keep the NROC (and buyer doesn't do major damage), that's not such a bad deal.For a house is listed at $329,900, I'd ask for $10-15K in non-refundable option consideration and then see if the buyer is still interested.