You can sell both units to one buyer, but that buyer now has two properties, with separate tax bills, etc.  

(Lower rates, higher rents, and apprciation.) until then you get loan pay down and tax advantages to go wi the lower prices. 

We only owe 70,000 on the house and it’s worth 240,000.

Do I simply tell my agent to ask theirs how much they owe and how much are their payments to see if it even makes sense for me to pursue it and possibly use it as a rental or is there a way to get make a very strong guess and not bother the agent with those questions before having a strong guess first?

@Ane DeysI would not generalize all REITs as being equal and there are also a lot of private funds who did not go the REIT route as a reit, while having specific tax benefits is also required to be passive.

Insurance estimated at $7,000 annually and taxes around $10,000 annually. 

Looking for a Tax Strategist in the Kansas city area. 

The hard thing with commerce is the property taxes are higher and some areas aren't that great.

However, without having W2s or 2 years worth of tax statements for my business, I'm having trouble finding a loan.

My rough strategy is buy SFH (older but (semi) recently remodeled B- to A- properties in good areas likely to continue appreciating and attracting good, trouble-free tenants) 0% down VA (may consider a small amount on second property, like up to 3% just to speed things along) and stay in it as my own primary residence until at least 10% of purchase price paid off and able to cashflow 300+/ month after mortgage, taxes, insurance and 15% set aside for repairs, vacancy, and maintenance (like I said, I'm not overly interested in rental RE, so I want to be sure it's lower effort and worth my time in return).