Most HMLs, depending on your and your partner's credit score and experience, only require 15%-20% equity/down payment from borrowers.

@Colin Ford recommend getting experience with your RI duplex before going OOS.You should DIY manage the unit next door, so you LEARN about property management, the goog, the bad and the ugly.Then you'll be so much better prepared to invest OOS!

From my experience tenants like this need to move on, IE move out.

And should I get a degree or any academic qualification to have more experience and knowledge about real estate?

I would not take advice about a market from someone without any experience in that market. 

Some ideas I've considered:Equity Buyout: Having another investor or my partner buy out my 40% equity.Seller Financing: Selling my equity and offering seller financing to the buyer.Selling the Property: Liquidating the property entirely and splitting the proceeds.Does anyone have experience with situations like this?

Feel free to DM me to discuss my experience as an investor or lender.Jeff

I just stayed in a hotel in Moab and we had an A/C issue and it took two days to resolve and, honestly, that's not that out of line with my normal experience at hotels.I don't know where people dreamed up this idea that all hotels have someone waiting outside your room ready to resolve anything in 5 minutes. 

This is why I am here and love the real world experiences and feedbacks.

I am keen to learn from the experiences of seasoned professionals and collaborate with fellow investors who share a passion for real estate.