I agree with @Eric Gardiner here, if it were me in your shoes I would consider getting a HELOC on the UT property (because its the cheapest money you can borrow) and keep that cash flow going.

Also most if not all Title companies will NOT take a certified check as those were subject to counterfeit  maybe the local attorney closer will take them but if you use one with a big title company they will wait for them to clear just like a regular check.. 

So if I was in your shoe, I would Airbnb the crap out of this MFH.

If I was in your shoe's I would inform her of these laws and let her know that I was ready to get a tenant lawyer if needed.NJ Truth in Renting: "If a landlord fails to return the security deposit within 30 days, or the tenant disagrees with the amount deducted, the tenant may sue for double the amount of the security deposit that the tenant contends was wrongfully withheld."

What would you do in our shoes?

School clothes, shoes, backpacks, $100 worth of school supplies per kid!!

If I was in the tenant's shoes, I wouldn't mind because I obviously wouldn't be in the bathroom with the other person at the same time.

The carpet is perfect ( we don’t have pets and don’t wear shoes in the house) and im a clean freak and will clean that house very well before we leave.

If you were in our shoes, how would you get financing to purchase the duplex? 

This was the first thing I did and I would be in your shoes exactly if I didn't do this.