I don't want to maintain them.

Everything you posted is correct except your definition of “profit” unless you only paid $140k.

I believe subject to transactions, done CORRECTLY, between KNOWLEDGABLE participants, with FULL DISCLOSURE, are typically successful transactions that have benefits for both sides.  

I'd consider doing some kind of cash out refi on the property at a number you're both comfortable pulling out, while still leaving $ for reserves to maintain the STR you currently have.

Another guy wouldn't pass me at all because I showed him up...yet another kept insisting that his interpretation of a plumbing code was correct when it was not - cost me 1 month of time.A neccessary evil IMO, they were usually former GCs who couldn't make it in the real world.....  

Developing that trust with someone you don't know may seem like a challenge, but if you approach it correctly, you should be able to achieve a pretty solid foundation of trust.The best way is to talk to others who have had an experience investing with the sponsor already.

He told us his hourly wage (when he hilariously tried to charge us money for him doing math to correct our "mistakes"), and so that $800 represented a 40-hour work week. 

As to the buddy I mentioned in Washington state it was the same scenario; he converted tax-free up to their standard deduction but above that he kept within the lowest tax bracket and paid the smallest amount of tax possible.Thank you @Basit Siddiqi for calling me out on this and giving me a chance to address my mistake; it's important people have the correct information.  

Just pick your properties correctly.

I don’t think well maintained, well run properties that have rents at or close to market value should ever be that difficult to sell.