Originally posted by @Chris T.

House hacking is probably a more realistic expectation than purchasing a legal duplex in your budget, in a neighborhood that you would want (without a car) that would attract high quality tenants, and doesn't require a ton of rehab (read cash).If you're committed to staying urban and car free, as others have said, Germantown, east falls, manayunk, roxborough, and brewerytown could be options.

Nothing really changed internally except the goals you had and the level of commitment, you understood value and saw that in the feast times there was a better way to provide for yourself in the lean times. 

My biggest concern is that I would go in, do a bunch of the work and have to rip it out or have it re-done because I didn't cross all my "T"s and dot all my "I"s for the legal part of the renovation.Thanks for the help!

A developer - They generally will not buy unless a tenant is ready to sign a forward commitment before closing.

(The taxes can be left out) For example, I assume I do t have to get it inspected. 

Its been slow to rent and I want to have someone committed to it within 2 weeks.

It can be done you just have to be fully committed and ready to do whatever it takes.

I am a married/father living in Houston with a F/T job. 

I knew deep down that if I fully committed I could get to where I wanted to go much faster.