I recently purchased a duplex about 5 minutes away from where I currently live.My goal for the duplex is to furnish and rent to travel nurses/workers as it is very close to a large hospital that is expanding in the near future.

Are all-cash offers at those prices common these days?

BRRRR is a common method for this very reason.

I am often retained to vet syndications on behalf of LP's and a common red flag I come across are syndications where the distributions are merely a return of over raised capital.

I have some questions regarding your long-term goals in this field. 

Its up to your investing strategy and goals. 

My lender has an option to take a second out to cover the downpayment (this might be common with many lenders, I'm not sure on that).

DSCR loans are based off of down payment, credit score and either actual or market rents so it helps to supercharge an investor's real estate goals and net worth.

My goal would be to get the top dollar for the house.

Hey @Danny Sanchez, down payment assistance is extremely common and a great resource, especially the Minnesota Housing program!