If you are familiar with Nashville, The Nations, is what i think of.

my clients have done it. depending who is on the deed. plus, you can rent by the bedroom. highly recommend. 

My plan was to use the condo heloc as the down payment for the duplex, and then sell the condo and the proceeds would pay off the heloc. 

I live in Los Angeles and dont want to get the investment there due to (1) cost (2) tenant-friendliness.

The profit will be taxed at my personal tax rate.What's the benefit of having an LLC to do flip?

I will be moving into the 5 bed 3 bath because the tenant has been there half as long as the upstairs tenant (therefore that is the unit I am legally directed to move into vs the more tenured upstairs tenant).I do not need the space of a 5 bed 3 bath apartment so am planning on renovating the entire space and turning it into x2 2 bed 2 bath apartments while I am living there.

Ask address, reno , and what will the rent be ?

By following these steps, you can find the best market for your investment.Good luck!

One thing every investor needs to be aware of: No real estate fund or syndication is FDIC insured.You may come across phrases like "the money is in an FDIC insured account," which only means the funds are held in a bank account, not under someone's mattress.

Thank you everyone  for engaging on my posts as I ramp up towards my first deal!