Cashier's Check from unrelated donor used for investment property

[An Nguyen]

Good day everyone, 

My wife is looking to get a loan under her name for a duplex with inherited tenants. We are a little bit shorted for 20% down payment and we are asking some friends to be donor gift check.  Would cashier checks from friends eligible for conventional loan with 6.5% interest rate? Our loan officer advised us to take route of 9% interest rate without income check. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.