I'm patiently waiting and preparing myself the best way I can but the wait is killing me.

Lessons learned so far are 1) make sure you can afford the holding costs as you undertake a project; 2) unless you trust the contractor, don't trust the contractor; 3) be actively engaged in the project, learn what needs to be done and how to do it, and ensure you and your contractor are on the same page; and 4) be patient.

As long as you are patient with me in this respect, know that I intend to build some beautiful, energy-efficient, and profitable houses as well as purchase enough rental properties so that I can have more financial freedom.      

As long as you are patient with me in this respect, know that I intend to build some beautiful, energy-efficient, and profitable houses as well as purchase enough rental properties so that I can have more financial freedom.

My only thoughts have been to allow them to find people to sublease from them, pay 2 months rent to terminate the lease early, or to remain until the completion of the lease.I want to be respectful and compassionate towards the girl's safety, but I don't want to just let them get out of their lease so easily either.

Then the passive income you build could be the safety net to make the plunge of leaving your day job.    

The only challenge is finding a duplex in a fairly safe neighborhood, not so much for my safety but for that of my girlfriend.

Way too many trolls for safety sake and the odds of getting accurate legal advise is thin, at best.As for Medicare, this is state specific, too.

Be careful, if you end up having to do any repairs that require an inspection from the building and safety department (mechanical/electrical upgrades or something), the inspectors have a habit of noticing other things in the house that don't meet the current code and could lead to more repairs. 

Great alternative to hard money and can be quite a "safety net" to conventional bank fallout.