Hard money from lenders or friends with rates at 8% and above is ok for short term but will eat your profits in the long run. 

Those additional holding costs are going to eat into that $3k, so it's getting close to a wash.

What you're describing is exactly like sitting down and eating a meal at a restaurant and then complaining to the restaurant that the food was no good.

Then you can get creative with the gift cards/points/credit card stuff and or financing and really get a good deal.I'd avoid Alibaba simply because any issues and you'd be unlikely to find a reasonable resolution...and it'd likely eat up any good deal you had going.

I'm tired of people getting away with not paying and the landlord having to eat the cost.

Like @Greg Scott said, the deal will have to meet all of your bank's overlays, which could make this idea dead on arrival and/or your debt payment will eat up so much of the post bank note cash flow that it makes the deal unattractive to your partner.

They’ve got money for cigarettes beer and dog food before they pay their obligations This scripture says it all :“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 

Can personalize all your recommendations of all the place you like to send people to eat, drink, and be merry. 

Would look to invest half and then keep the remainder to pay down the mortgage on the 250k balance quicker so I could use the equity to obtain a HELOC on the duplex and use for a future SFH purchase.My other thought would be to do a live in flip, and rent out my current residence for around $1100/month, but would have to eat the $314/month in HOA fees which would leave me with around $800/month cash flow. 

My intentions are more passive but I understand the active route is how to eat up all the experiences in the different areas.