As George Carlin used to say, God is obviously terrible with money, because his followers are always soliciting donations -- God is all-seeing, all-wise, all-powerful, sure, but, well, he's really just no good with money.You can't pass this expense on to your tenants in the hopes of making your spreadsheet's projected expenses for the property work out for the year.

This is the government showing their power and demanding your money. 

We’re tired of having room mates so we want to purchase a duplex and live in one suite and rent the other until we can refinance or have the buying power to get the next one.

That way they would receive a monthly income check, again, they might not be keen on being in second position.If you come in with an approved loan, you have better bargaining power. 90% financing on a rehab is difficult unless you have some under your belt, otherwise you might be looking at 80% with a rate of10% of rehab costs.

That I do bonecrushing handshakes and I'm halfway deaf from all the years of working with power tools.

One question I have after watching several deal of the day videos when they are using the rental calculators to evaluate the deal and cash flow and such....why are fixed landlord expenses being shown as power/water/sewer/trash being shown?? 

Here I'd simply post an abandoned tenancy notice on the door, enter to verify things are ok with no power (like the fridge), change the locks and leave.  

Between building permits, local water and power laws, holding times, it can tank a deal if not executed well. 

When you do, you lose all negotiating power.   

This is very important.13 If your name is on the purchase agreement, you will need to be present at the closing or have signed a power of attorney for someone to sign on your behalf.