Determining ARV for duplex

[Kelly Arkadie]

Hello BP, So me and my wife have been looking for our first investment. We've entertain the thought, of buying a duplex. The problem is there really isn't any true comps to go by. Reason being none of the duplexes in my target area have been fully renovated. My target area clearly has 20% duplexes, which were originally sfh. Then you get into situations where individual units aren't mirrored. Or you have 2/1 in one unit and 1/1 in the 2nd unit. My ultimate question is how do lenders (HML in my case) appraise situations like this? We're interested in a duplex w/ both 1/1 that we would make into both a 2/2. Would gladly appreciate any help. Thanks ahead! The house is taxed @ 78k.