The crowd here needs more info on your current financial standing to really give you a road map for success.  

I have $1.5M in the bank, and I’m trying to figure out the best move for my situation to start building out my portfolio and making moves towards financial independence.

Remember, you can put as little as 5% down on a house, duplex, triplex, or fourplex with a conventional loan.If I were you, I'd speak with a lender about your financial situation to understand what your budget actually is, then look for an inexpensive duplex.

The covered parking area and patios should have adequate drainage to prevent water accumulation and potential damage.Investment ForecastPurchase Price: $849,900Total NOI over 10 years: $308,782.13Year 10 Value: $1,256,336 (based on a conservative 4% appreciation rate)Annualized return: 6.30%ConclusionWhile this property is poised for appreciation, sustaining it over several years for substantial returns would require substantial financial resources due to high debt servicing costs and negative annual Cash on Cash (CoC) returns.

In other words are the reasons for paying off debt early financial or emotional?   

I have $10,500 to my name and want to invest it and put my money to work; however, I don't mind spending a few dollars on a reliable course or towards my financial education.

If someone is bringing part of the closing costs, it’s common for them to receive a portion of the equity that reflects their financial contribution compared to the overall deal.

There is more that goes into these decisions than pure financials sometimes.

I'm not sure they would serve a purpose for me then, but for working class people who do more often have financial stresses it is an incentive for sure and also it compensates you for the lateness.

This can hurt you financially, and it can hurt more than tax savings.I'm all for tax planning, I do it for a living, but don't lose the bigger picture while focusing on taxes.