I recommend visiting both and any other you find when searching google & Meetup.com  Pick the one you feel most comfortable in or all of them. 

Sometimes the purchase price is increased to cover some or all of it. 

I agree with your line of thinking, but the seller might want to keep some or all of the earnest money rather than trying to force the buyer to follow through with the purchase.

Or can you do something else with some or all of the cash, (e.g., payoff an unrelated debt, purchase a car, etc…), would the Interest still be tax deductible?

Hoping to get 60% of them to extended or all,  specially if they have great rental paying  history.Please give me your thoughts ?

The notification can be oral or written and must identify the consumer's name and account number and indicate why the consumer believes an error exists.

It seems like there will be a decent amount of built-in equity day 1, so maybe a potential to even pull some or all of my buyin out of the property?

If you convert a large amount it could push you into a higher marginal tax rate (bracket) and you could be paying taxes on some or all of the converted amount at a higher tax rate.All of that assumes the entire amount you convert is taxable.

The best case scenario is often a partnership buyout.Most partnerships that are structured with both or all parties having management responsibility and a say in the operations will not end up a happy experience.

Sadly, the minimum "code" requirements for insulation (R23 walls / R50- R70 attic) are inadequate and if building new in northern BC  (or northern anywhere), I'd be looking at a minimum insulation load of R50+ (walls) and R100 (ceiling/roof) along with second to none air sealing and mechanical ventilation (HRV).