@Alan Diamond Rochester has a remarkable duplex inventory and variety.  

With multiple people staying there the income is usually there to push rents higher each year versus singles.On larger properties of hundreds of units I generally see a mix of about 75% 2 beds and 25% 1 beds ( maybe a few studio and 3 beds thrown in as well in small amounts).You want variety but not too much of it to pick up the few tenants that will pay extra for a 3 bed.

Flower beds, tree pruning, etc...

Once you´ve done that a couple of times, you should have enough cash, credit and track record to consider a wide variety of investment options.You are fortunate to live in Tampa - this is a hot market and there are lots of affordable deals out there, particularly in northern suburbs like Port Richey, New Port Richey and Holiday.

You may also contact mortgage brokers who can choose from a variety of lenders.  

I don't rent single family anymore....totally and strictly shared housing for me now for a whole variety of reasons which you might consider if this is a 2-bedroom unit.  

On the MD side of the border you can find some in Takoma Park over by Flower Ave....but Takoma Park has VERY restrictive rent control.

I have a variety of questions regarding mentors so lets start with the ones on the front line.1.)

I've purchased the click variety as low as $1/sqft but the stick down kind can be stuck over old sheet vinyl or luan and is as low as $0.49-0.79/sqft.

This works well if you have all cash to fund both the purchase and renovations -- However, if you're cash short -- there's always a way -- some banks offer purchase + renovation loans, you can use hard money / short term construction loans, and a variety of other creative ways discussed throughout BP.Thanks,Dan