How I bought a $575,000 duplex at age 27 by myself

When Margaret Skiff, 27, bought a $575,000 duplex in Portland, Maine, she became both a landlord and a DIY renovator. Aside from hiring electricians, plumbers and a drywall contractor, she and her mom completed most of the $15,000 in renovations themselves. She funded the renovations with her $113,000 yearly salary as a senior experience analyst and about $38,000 in social media income she earned in 2025.