I'd expect some parents and groups would welcome being offline.My eventual plan is to upgrade all my TVs to 4k Rokus during a Black Friday/Prime Day sale to do away with both fire sticks and expensive cable. 

I know my parents' original mortgage was like 13%.

We got into the place just as we found out we were going to have our first child.

Currently I am imprisoned by my consulting job but I want to take a page from my parents book and start investing in real estate to set myself (financially) free!

Her ex/father of her child passed away and the estate went to the son.

I am living with my parents rent free and have enough saved up to buy a duplex.

Nothing wrong with that.Ask me and I'm going to tell you to invest in a real estate capital fund laddered with 30, 180, and 720 day access to capital.Ask my parents and they'll tell you CDs are best and spending 1/30th of your saved principal each year until you die is the way to go.If no one taught you how money works at some point in your life, you need to watch someone who did learn. 

I reside in River North, married with a mortgage, child and was just recently furloughed with no guarantee of returning to my current role anytime soon. 

Are you able to find a co-signer (parent, family?)? 

The house is too close to my parents as well.