Each unit should easily get $1300 in rent but keep in mind I would be living in one of the units. 

With that he can get a warrant for the guys, girlfriends' residence who lives in that town.

Do you have to live in SD to make that kind of money? 

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I live in Lancaster, CA and own a single family home rental.

If not, you could take title as an individual and later transfer to an LLC (you might trigger some due on sale and/or transfer tax, so get legal representation on that).If LLC is not possible, I've used Revocable Living Trusts many times. 

But we live and learn.

Instead, you might consider alternatives like house hacking, where you live in one unit and rent out others, to save money.

Though I plan to live in it for the short term, potential house hackAny advice on how to negotiate this deal?

@Andrew Sladek on the duplex that you are living in are you renting out the rooms too?