Also we will be living in the downstairs unit, meaning my 75 year old mother in law will be able to come visit without having to walk up stairs."

green when it comes to real estate.background I'm 31 currently living in my 3rd primary residence property i have bought in the last 9 years.First house i lost money after owning for 6 years.My 2nd house i broke even on money but did not pay myself anything for work done. after 2 yearsMy current home i borrowed 223k 30 year at 4.375%. currently owe 212k. no other debt.i don't have all the information about the house. will post once i have all details.what i do know is 2br 1 bath roughly 900sqft. unfinished basement with shower into floor drain. wood stove no hvac.small lot. single attach garage. roof may need replacement. not sure if electrical is fused. not sure if pluming is iron pipe. old neighbor hood but not bad area. i would live in area with my wife and 2 kids.not sure on value maybe fixed up sale for 70 to 80k.rent for 600 to 700 month.Potential property is my mother in laws and aunts house. they inherited this house from there father who pass away 3 years ago.the house has set empty while my wife aunts has paid utility bills and property tax on it.my wifes aunt has said she wants 10 to 12k to be bought out of house. basically the money she has put in over the years for plumbing repair and utilities and property tax.my mother in law has not said much on what she wants. if flip she did mention she would want 1/2 profit after i paid my self and paid back money i invested.i would rather rent property and have the income coming in.if i bought both my aunt and mother in law out for around 20 to 25k i could pay cash but not have any left over for any potential repairs to get ready to rent of flip.i plan on bringing my uncle who has been around building and flipping houses in the past to get his evaluations on potential repair cost.What do i need to do to be prepared for my first property for investing?

I am a Plant Operations Manager for a nursing home/assisted living company who also owns an apartment complex.

And it would be much nicer, if you actually used a name and not 'your mother' , which is sort of insulting, even if most people here don't know. 

I bought a "duplex" that is listed as a single family and we were able to get it approved as a single family with a "mother-in-law suite, or utility suite."

They have people living there that are not on the lease, per statements made by the lease holder, a mother and her son are in the house now, without consent.

I'm twenty-four years old and recently began my career working as a registered nurse.

I would be bullish on good housing near the hospital/medical center as those places will drive nurses, techs, etc other solid income tenants.

Mother and child is ALL THE SECURITY you need.

I am looking for granny flat because my mother in law will come to live with us.