If their credit is good, the rates are low right now so it may not jump the payment up to much.

Hello Rohan, I'm sure you're aware of how expensive and how low cap rates are here in LA.

The problem with 'finding a deal' is that they do not exist at at $80,000-$100,000 in this neighborhood, everything that has sold in 2015-2016 has been in the $120,000-$130,000 on the low end. 

This "Liquid 100k" will be your key to HIGH LTV and low rate loans.Good luck! 

From listening to a fair amount of episodes from the BP Podcast and reading a couple of books, I am thinking my best option to get started would be by using an FHA Loan because of the low down payment.

My state already has laws that protect people from aggressive dogs, there is absolutely no need to bring breed into this. 

There are standard procedures and traps you won't be familiar with.Also, there would be absolutely no advantage to not using one, even if you didn't need one.

We financed this home at 80% LTV through a local bank (here is where I would have saved my capital and gone with FHA or another low money down strategy had I had the foresight, but alas, "it is what it is" as they say).My plan is to eventually use 1031 to trade up to 8+ unit buildings, then parlay that into either apartments, mixed use, or commercial down the line.Going forward: House hacking the duplex is clearly not the ideal situation with a toddler and a newborn.

There are plenty of scams that promise low interest and fees for an upfront charge, and then take your money and run.

In that case, I'd expect that at least the realtor will have a clue, and not price the property way low.