He's changing the terms of the agreement, and you can choose to accept it or reject it.I don't think it's fair to pass this cost onto the tenant just because you are unwilling to stand up to the contractor.

Looking for guidance on the best way to proceed going forward in terms of asset protection and how to structure all of this real estate… 

@Matt SchreiberI bought my one and only short-term rental (STR) in North Myrtle Beach in February 2024.

Visit with people there and you'll get a more detailed look at things from people actively working in the areas.

You are still exiting with a refinance and thus the terms wouldn't change on the exit whether you are buying in cash and then refinancing versus doing a construction loan and then refinancing.

The first 4 are real magazines but do not feature his name or any of the important key terms in any of their articles.

I’m hoping that once I do have enough saved I can buy the second property and continue house hacking.Something like this: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2574-W-Fai...? 

I'm a licensed PA realtor and have plenty of opportunities that could be of Interest to you in your price margin/targeted performance.Well SoCal Properties has appreciated well between 6-8% in the short term and +100% over a decade, which I believe is better than the national average.

Send me a message if you want to chat in more detail (background is in live in flips, LTR, MTR, and STR).  

Then do a thorough research on tenant applicants (note: leaving this to a PM may be hazardous to your financial health) and choose the one that is most “stable” with the best potential for long term tenancy.This advice is contrary to maximization of rental income, but IMO will reduce expenses of tenant turnover, property damage, property management fees so much that the difference in bottom line income will be quite small.