Control everything you are responsible for until you can support somebody else.  

Taxes, property management fees, insurance, heating (this old building uses oil heating), 10% of rent per year to maintenance, snow removal, pest control, etc add up to ~$29,000/yr.

This duplex is in a good area with good schools and on a quiet cul-de-sac if I remember correctly. 

I am 100% control of my investments this way and don't have to worry about foreclosing on an NPN.

General statement: If making the De minimus safe harbor election, repairs under $2500 can be expensed.

People act as it I control taxes and insurance and they can't afford to pay that much or at least some shining stars have done me that way.

Here are the two analyses: Initial Investment Purchase Price $89,000.00 Closing Costs $2,225.00 Renovation Costs(allegedly turn key) $3,000.00 Total Investment Costs $94,225.00 Financing Costs Down Payment (%) 20.00% Down Payment ($) $17,800.00 Mortgage Balance $71,200.00 Annual Interest Rate 4.00% Loan Term (months) 360 Total Invested Capital $23,025.00 Fixed Monthly Operating Expenses P&I $339.92 Financing Charges $0.00 Administration Fees $12.50 Property Taxes $197.08 Homeowners Insurance $111.86 HOA Fees $0.00 Fixed Monthly Total Costs $661.36 Variable Monthly Operating Expenses Property Management $157.50 Advertisements/Referrals $65.63 Vacancy & Collection Losses $131.25 Capital Expenditures Replacement Fund $50.00 General Maintenance Fund $50.00 Temporary Utilities $10.00 Pest Control (Optional) $0.00 Lawn Care (Optional) $0.00 Total Variable Expenses $464.38 Total Monthly Expenses $1,125.74 Annual Operating Expenses $13,508.86 Operating Income Monthly Market Rent $1,575.00 Annual Gross Revenue $18,900.00 Monthly Profit (or Loss) $449.26 Annual Net Profit (or Loss) $5,391.14I present to you such a thorough analysis in the attempt to make sure I'm not making any glaring mistakes!

In hopes of financial freedom and a self controlled lifestyle I have decided to focus on REI as my main business venture.

You'll have the MLS access and full control in the  execution of your plan.  

Open space may not work well due to control over the individual tenants.