There seems to be a waiting list in the area as well so I believe the demand is there.

(this is a $30M project) and does not want to use Costar or Loopnet.This seems wrong. 

You have less control with a property like this when compared to other asset classes.The upside here is that it seems there is room for negotiation because of the below-market rent tenants.If you're looking to put down $200-250K, I would recommend looking into a multifamily property, especially one with additional income potential. 

Both have been good to work with on our end and seem to do a good job helping our investors.

Instead, he seems focused on discouraging me from setting up an LLC due to the fees associated with California.

@Patricia Andriolo-Bull you seem to be too nice which is making this harder than it has to be.  

The numbers I’ve been running look really promising from a short-term rental (STR) perspective, and the area seems to have favorable STR regulations—or at least a lack thereof.

He threatened me if I'm not paying him he gonna put lien on my property, I've never encounter these thing in my whole life...He seems very cold blood and likes to take his client to court or put lien on the property, looks like he had done these stuff many times in his career...I just don't suggest you to work with him for the below reasons:1.He is never willing to communicate about the project progress and he just notify you that you have to pay for next-phase otherwise he will STOP the work and take all the stuff out2.He will never take responsibility on warranty or the stuff he had done, if you ask, that is all your fault, and you have to pay your own bills3.Finally if nothing of these lightly threaten works, he will say: "I will give you 3 days, if you don't pay me, I will put lien on your property, I will take you to the court"I never done business into this situation in my whole life, but it looks like that's how Robert Mincey makes money and if you work with him, you will probably end up like me with tons of sleepless nights...If there are any chance, in the future I will post my whole experience while working with him.Hope this helps!

Active real estate investing doesn’t seem to float my boat.

Again, not my main goal but it also doesn't seem wise to be short $600/mo. 3.