Unless your duplex is undergoing a major renovation, you are unable to generate enough activity with the truck to justify writing off 100% of the expenses (or even 50%) associated with purchasing, insuring and maintaining the truck.Instead, you'll likely be able to write off the miles specifically used for the rented portion of the duplex (not your side) at the IRS mileage rate.Additionally, an LLC for a duplex that you live in is problematic. 

I am unable to arrange to meet him before I leave town so I will have to have someone meet them for me.

They bought it to help out their adult child, who is unable to live independently.Legally, you can violate the terms of the lease, stop paying rent, ignore their rules, trash the place, do whatever you want.  

If the seller were unwilling / unable to do that, we would buy the property as is and deal with the tenants up on takeover.most of us would recommend removing the tenants and placing new tenants at the higher rate rather than try to increase rent on the existing tenants. 

If you are unable to secure the money; you may not be ready to be in real estate.

The tenants did not understand the concept and were unable to appreciate that I was attempting to give them a better living situation.

I was unable to speak with any home owner however I did not let that deter me from talking to some neighbors.  

Newbie from RNO/Incline Village, NV I work in the CRE and Municipal arena using Credit Enhancement Project Funding within the USA and Canada... commercial real estate is my focus due to the fact that many CRE Refinance notes are coming due, and the banks are unable to handle the volume do to Basel III regulations, and Acquisitions is another area of interest because a credit enhancement offers a better ROI/ROE because of below commercial bank interest rates.

@Chris Bounds (a little off subject) I noticed that you mentioned Jet Lending in on of your answers, I ran across them on my search for a hard money lender but was unable to find anyone else that has dealt with them.

______________________ Ok, well what do you plan to do with the property if you’re unable to sell it?