Likely neither will post charges.She is on a month to month lease.

Since you are living there, it should be much easier to set up showings rather than a traditional rental traveling to the property.The biggest mistake I have made, and seen other makes, is loosening their guidelines after a few weeks/months of vacancy because they have simply had enough. 

The April 2024 market report from the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) shows that the median home price in the City of Austin rose by 6% to $593,500 over the past 12 months.

We rezone it for 5k. 5k permit set / construction docs. 350k build. exit price is approx 510k, full return of capital on a refinance within 8 months. super simple. we build around 174 a sq ft and the exit price downtown is approx $250 - $300 depending on neighborhood, size, etc. 

My suggestion to you - Don't buy something just to jump in and have to feed it money every month (ie. negative cash flow).  

Do we, for example, sell our current SFR and put all/most of the equity into a down payment on the duplex and have a lower monthly mortgage payment?

If your rent is on the higher end (over $1500 per month) and you are doing a kitchen, I would spend the bit extra to get new cabinets.

I limit my rentals to two pets and I charge a monthly rent increase for each one.

LVP Flooring throughout 4. 190k 3/1 listed @ 210k in december, sold for 190k this month. mordern kitchen, new water heater, new hvac & roof (5yrs) So I found 2 more5. 199K 3/1 was a flip sold 4/23 110k listed 209k in 6/23 sold 8/23 199k full finish, clean, hardwood floors, paint interior/exterior, new windows, new fixtures. refinished bathroom.6. 280k 3/1 closer to mid town Listed at 269k 3/24 sold in 4/24 280k. 

Wayne, You’ll also have to take into account the monthly HOA dues into the DSCR calculation.