However, once we started the process interest rates skyrocketed so we paused, to see if they will come down a bit.

                      - Duplex- pro's- renter's rent money will pay for half of mortgage, after that is paid off, move to a house, have passive income x2, most living space. con's- biggest down payment, outside the city, risk of terrible renter, locking us down for at least 7-10+ years to at least make it worth it.Overall, I hate wasting money. 

Do you know they are carrying a mortgage?

I'd expect rates in the low to mid-teens depending on LTV and credit.

You can also speak with a lender to see what you need to do to qualify for a mortgage if buying a house down there is one of your goals. 

What I think Carlos is saying is if U.S. didn't have this mortgage mechanism as it is, say one where "average" mortgage was 15yr at longest, market price would be vastly different. 

I guess I'll start by sharing a bit of myself and how I got here.A few years ago, I saw a listing for a 4 plex in a nice part of a city in the CA Bay Area and thought, that would be so great if I could live there and collect rent to help pay off the mortgage (it was even listed for a reasonable price, though I'm sure there was a bidding war for the final sales price).

They don't realize that most mortgages are written to PREVENT this and don't read the fine print. 

The most obvious is that you will be able to offset your mortgage with renting out a few rooms.

The most obvious is that you will be able to offset your mortgage with renting out a few rooms.