They aren't really very hard to qualify for. 

(remember, you are hiring the attorney to help you proactively protect yourself for the times when things aren't going well).

And further, given that such a small group of individuals could undertake such a fraud without detection, what other manipulations are going on that we aren’t yet aware of?

What are your thoughts on either of those, is there a different one you'd recommend getting, or do you think they aren't worth having? 

Because we aren't seasoned, I would want to wait and learn as much as we can from the first duplex before purchasing the second, then own the second long enough to try to learn to streamline managing the 4 units and then move on to purchasing the 3rd. 

I am blown away by the quantity and kindness the responses already.

My retort would be: why aren't you worth 4 million dollars in like 4 years?

In my area they aren't everywhere, but they are out there and in good neighborhoods and come with quality tenants.

In disclosures just disclose it so you aren't hiding anything.

If you aren't then you will need to cut ties a.s.a.p.