Although there is some local work which periodically lands me in my home vicinity, monday-friday I could find myself anywhere in the world.  

Lease states rent is due the 1st, but I did include a 5 day grace period.

I am finding a combination of high rates (at least a point higher), short amortization periods ( and short balloons. 

That's an enormous increase in a (relatively) short period of time, at least from the perspective of those of us who have most of our investing experience since 2000, during the glory days of low interest rates.  

If that means taking smaller distributions of cash over a period of years rather than a lump sum, great.What you have proposed is complex, expensive, and does have some risk associated with it.  

During this period of my life, I have grown to love to learn, to explore, and to read.

When a low-ball like that is lobbed, sellers may turn combative and not want to deal with your future offers period.

Would it be a straight % return for a fixed period of time, equity offering, combination of both or something completely different?

As an agent, if someone submits an offer on my listing, I will advise a client not to accept long "inspection" periods.

So I'm currently in escrow with closing set for two weeks away...I had the property inspected about a week ago and am now out of option period.