Because interest compounds and %5 interest on a large purchase vs 2% interest on a large purchase like this will save 10's of thousands of dollars in the long term even if you consider some of that is being paid up front.

Why don't you try and bow out, you'll lose your deposit but at least won't have the stress of carrying 2 deals.

I’ll allow that social security may be means tested if socialism does take hold in the US- but I have no choice with that.I do discredit your dreams of a 30 year payday when you are sinking today’s cash into a speculative investment which “may” return in 30 years.Read up on compound interest and inflation.

Although you won't get the huge appreciation upswings, a lot of that is offset by the continual building / compounding of assets/interest. 

I am considering defaulting the lease (w/o termination), locking the doors, and requiring an amend ment the terms of the lease before re-entry, such that any delinquency of rent would incur an immediate one-off penalty of a reasonably significant amount, plus a higher late fee percentage (daily compounding of annual rate). 

One of my clients is picking up a compound over there, excited to see what we do with it!  

I've seen some crazy block basements with bowing walls that are hard to believe, sliding down hillsides.

You're comparing apples to oranges.If we're not on the same page at this point I'll have to bow out. 

I have made a couple of compounded interest scenarios.

Unless you have a lot of money to work with (or access to people with a lot of money to work with) chances are that it'll be a slow and steady process that will compound overtime.