I also understand id be splitting the reward/ rent but that's why I think if I can pay 50% with him or 100% alone then is minimizes a lot of my risk. cast your vote and help me out, ahah I'm new here and to the world or real-estate so take it easy on me please.

What percent of GPs making capital calls will actually manage to minimize losses vs GPs that end up loosing all that money too for the LPs? 

This will at least minimize your tax bill.

In the end we pitched seller financing, which I thought they'd never go for, but we ended up working something out on pretty favorable terms.I'm interested to connect with others who are doing boutique hotels / STR hotels, whatever you want to call it. 

While finishing up my studies, I am attempting to put together a development that I could pitch to connections I have made and (hopefully) will make in the future. 

Yes people lose it all, typically because of over leverage or crazy events like 2008 - but if you also have cash reserves you can offset any downside to minimize risk even moreWhen people start using lines of credit and seller financing at 90-100% you are correct those people have a very high chance of losing it all.

Since we are long term owners and not doing flipping, cash is not as much of an immediate concern for us since the purchases we make require less upfront cash due to minimal rehab necessity.  

They have never pitched or tried to push any of their products on me or anyone else in the group.

Agree to a lease that allows you to cancel the lease with minimal notice the moment anything goes wrong.Ask for references and contact themSide note: make sure you can actually get insurance to cover you under this scenario before agreeing to it.

Given the heavy front load of interest, the equity gained from mortgage paydown over five years may go unnoticed due to minimal going toward the principal.