The pandemic has been very eye-opening because it seems like every 10 years there’s a major event and high unemployment, so in my mind I want to start paying down my duplex mortgage and hopefully have it paid off in a couple of years.

@Brandon Nunnink, I was exactly in your position, waiting for my W2 income to catch up with my dreams of financial freedom just wasn't happening, so I took the flipping route(still new) to build liquidity which will then lead to the end game of a portfolio of properties.

NOW, the BIG catch is it would have conditions, first being there unit kept in perfect condition, no tenant damages, no tenant complaints, I would frame it that us working with them requires there being an exemplary tenant, just follow all rules. 

My friend walked me through the process to buy a home and acted as my eyes and ears, we offered the asking because the market was stabilizing and many housing were being sold for the same amount by large investors.

The catch is that I HAVE to live in the apartment.

I try to look for a company that is the least restrictive and “keep my eyes half closed” on rate.

I'd be happy to put you on my list and keep an eye out for properties in the area you want.If you do want to go through the NPN process and manage it yourself, rather than partnering, there's a lot of education out there. 

I have an eye on a property that would probably yield as much in sales of the junk in and around the home as it would cost me to buy the house - but the weeds and overgrowth and all the broken glass and the time involved in selling the stuff...

It's the less obvious things that tend to catch me, as well as the 'we started enforcing this last year' things.

If you're able to get a better picture from someone who can lay eyes on it - it might be worth paying for those scopes ahead of purchasing in order to get the deals you're looking for quickly and more often.I'd try joining local REI groups on Facebook that may be able to provide you with reviews and recommendation of investors, contractors, and realtors in the area that may help you expand your network.Best of luck to you!