Maybe let your parents rent one duplex from you and they can manage the other:)  If that does not put a strain on the family dynamics.:)   Once they  complete I-73 it should add more to growth.

I'm eager to hear from you and be a part of a supportive and dynamic real estate community in Durham.Looking forward to connecting with you all!

There are also risks with bad tenants and all kinds of tenant-owner dynamics to keep in mind.

I have gotten pitched a few times from a few sponsors across different parts of the country to raise with them and just trying to safely create an SOP for navigating that dynamic.

The stories I hear of people investing with no money down are usually people who have tons of knowledge and skill in REI and that's why people will fund their deals without them having skin in the deal.I've made several post in the past (Link 1 Link 2) about asking for a mentor if you want to check them out.

And this is not the dynamic just in this metro = the nicer place(s) may choose to live do not pencil out for investment returns. 

Talk with the seller and see if he is open to seller finance at 25%.Find a lending institution that will underwrite the deal at 75%Your problem is going to be that you have no skin in the game.  

They will need it subordinated, of course, and they usually want you to have some skin in the game.

The seller could theoretically lower the purchase price and commission to reflect you "not using an agent" and cover closing costs, but that would be quite the hard sell.From an ex-agent with currently no skin currently in the broker side, buyers who put in offers like this are often seen by listing agents as being way more work than they're worth.

This dynamic is causing inventory levels to remain historically low and keep the market in equilibrium.