Use it as a learning experience as you move forward.

Be willing to hold them to these standards.One of the best things I ever read in these forums was to be firm, but fair.

You both clearly have experience dealing with this firsthand, and I want to see if there's a way to balance enforcement with profitability.

In my experience it is common and customary for the landlord or builder to provide TIA, tenant improvement allowance, to the tenant to assist if not cover the majority of the internal buildout. 

@Chris Lin, I appreciate your candor and sharing your experience here at BP. 

From what I've read The Georgia Real Estate Commission requires that a broker sponsors you before you can apply for/reciece your license.

I had two in a renter friendly state previously (one went without a hitch, the second not so much), I wouldn't look to repeat that experience.  

To maximize my cashflow and gain landlording experience, I’d do STR and MTR in the other units, as well as the other bedrooms in my unit.

According to what I have read straight from the IRS website and other places, we need to either meet 500 hours, or at least 100 hours and also work more than anyone else on the property.

Most will be negative because they have had bad experiences with it.