If you are sole member LLC you just take a distribution from your business account to your personal account.You are likely already reporting the income on a schedule E.

On one hand the seller obviously wanted as much money as they could get.

@Leslie L Meneus, while the forums can be pretty good, in-person networking and sharing ideas is much more valuable.  

Personally, I would prefer to use the HELOC approach.

They will save you time and money. 

When you have a duplex and tenants on both sides stay for ten years, it almost guarantees that something isn't right.I would study your market and determine the value of your rental, because I bet you are losing money every month.

If you are calling the licensed person off the radio AD a lot of money.

This might not reduce your taxes, but it's a better use/return for your money than paying down a 4% or 5% mortgage. 

I’ve met most of my partners through in-person events because it’s easier to get a feel for someone’s personality and long-term vision.

Had to spend additional money to get everything fixed.