At this point, should we give him a 24-hour notice and go in and repaint the ceiling? 

The first thing I had noticed from watching LoopNet over the years and limited research was that dealing with commercial brokers appeared even trickier than residential.

But doing short-term is also a flexible thing you can fit into your strategy on relatively short notice.

When I am sending the notice to my rental and I know they are not there I send it certified, signature required, no not forward, and the post office returns it back to me for no one signing it and the webpage gives a day to day accounting of the letter's travels.

I understand a bank won't likely start a foreclosure until payments are over 180 days late, but what if the owner is already 180 days late and foreclosure notice is about to be posted?

Example a few weeks ago: got a "customized' postcard saying something like "Dear Andrew, we noticed you recently bought a property on 3455 Main Street - we have access to many properties just like this one, all over town.  

I am interested in establishing a Short-Term Rental (STR) in Oceanside and noticed on the City website that STRs are permitted only in the Coastal area.

He may have you issue a notice to vacate or something right at the close of escrow since you have to give 30 days notice and this can possibly be a proactive way to prevent any funny business at the end of the 30 days. 

Even with a lease in place is there an option to terminate contracts with a sufficient amount of notice?

One common advice I have noticed is purchasing a duplex or multi family home in your area or at least 30 miles within proximity.