Addressing the problems is like trying to put out small individual fires in a forest that is burning.

One side of the duplex had hoarders living in it with about 18 cats, and the other side was burned out and vacant due to a kitchen fire (which then became extra storage for the hoarders next door)What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

I had a house burn down due to arson a few months back.

I've got excellent credit and stable W2 so I can be a borrower, have money to use from a HELOC, and a drive and desire to get in the game that has been burning for over two years that has only grown my resolve!

Its there business.. and a legit one..I have financed many students that never heard of BP and got their training through some type of guru.. but as stated where people get heartburn is the cost and the burn out rate. or failure rate of students.But look at BP  look at a 3 year old thread you will not recognize hardly anyone.. they got hyped up engaged for a while then moved on.. some because they successful and don't want to contribute anymore .. but the vast majority realize that its a tough business and they are not cut out for it for any number of reasons..

I work with Landlords all the time that managed their own property until they finally burned out.

Exciting @Cassidy Burns, keep us posted!

A CoC lower than the pref is okay for the first year or two with justification; burning off bad debt, low occupancy during renovations, building out new units, etc.

Since you were burned before, you can either learn from those mistakes or repeat them. 

You don't want to burn any bridges by miscommunications or not properly addressing resolution paths, buy-outs, exits, etc. in a legal manner on paper and signed by parties.