That’s because he and his friends have a frank conversation before the arrangement begins.

Everyone would do that throughout the country if that were possible so,I am gonna say"no".At least a traditional lender would never do it.Maybe if you borrowed it from a relative and kept the arrangement private and not put a lien on the property could that workout.

Duplexes are either side by side, or 2 story.Some side x sides are basically owned by separate owners and may have separate PID's so not advantageous if you can't purchase the entire building.One thing is whether the property has current tenants and what lease terms they have, the leases usually transfer to new owner and you would be held liable to maintain the term of the lease until it expires unless you make arrangements with seller to deliver property vacant.. but in terms of purchase a occupied property shows income so would improve loan terms. 

I created a detailed plan with steps that I can carry out in my current stage in life, and I am actually doing those things!

These days, shipping facilities are happy to have you arrange packages to pick up at their nearest location, or he could have required it be signed for, in order to avoid potential loss.  

I'm biased because I arrange private and commercial financing, but you're likely going to want to find a very competent broker and garner some bank relationships.  

I absolutely want something in writing but was hoping for examples of arrangements that weren't actual partnerships.

At your stage, invest in yourself and find a way to earn while you learn (return on sweat for now, return on investment later) ... no downside risk and infinite upside potential ... that will put you in a real solid place in the future on where and how to invest to max your profits while insulating yourself from any reasonable downside risk the market may throw at you along the way.

Water is always tricky rarely seperate meters and they tack on recycling fees, sometimes you can arrange for private trash if it's included but usually it has to be a large building for that. 

If I was dealing with an illegal tenant who I was trying to bribe to evict I probably wouldn't also be trying to facilitate a sales arrangement with them.