IF he is actually licensed, and depending on the State, you may be able to file some type of complaint and force him into arbitration If you are going to have properties out of your area, you should set up some type of site, like co-construct, Buildertrend, etc. where you require contractors to post regular pictures of progress where you can see the work being done, handle any change orders etc.

Be sure to check for any arbitration clauses in your paperwork.  

If the proposed increase is accepted within said seven-day period, OPTIONOR and OPTIONEE shall memorialize the change of Option Price in a written amendment to this Purchase Option extension Agreement.If, however, the proposed increase in the Option Price is rejected by OPTIONEE within said seven-day period, the parties shall immediately refer the issue of fair market value of the subject property to binding arbitration by the American Arbitration Association at its offices in Boise, Idaho.

You've probably come across some "Airbnb Gurus" who like to talk about rental arbitration.

Go work for a brokerage with a broker who sits in the office and help two friends with transactions before you do surgery on yourself.Get a VA preapproval from an actual Underwriter and stick to under that sales priceCommon Mistakes that come to mind based on what you said:choosing a property that doesn't meet VA standards and losing your EMDfilling out the contracts wrong and getting suednot understanding inspection or appraisal notes and not cancelling the deal before the contingency date, lose the EMD and maybe get suedappraisal comes in low and not knowing how to arbitrate and negotiate, not having compssigning something without understanding the future resultsstating something false in writingsaying something that crosses Fair Housing lawsgetting the numbers wrong, not being able to get insurance in CA, offering on higher price than you qualify for...being busy at day job and not opening emails in time

I also include a binding arbitration in my contracts because litigation is hugely expensive and emotionally draining so I want to stay out of court, period. 

@Dustin DuFault,If you are in first position, you can foreclose on the junior lien, but you said it is a large amount so the lien holder of the junior lien might fight back, and then you will be going to arbitration.

Also, the state of formation is likely where internal disputes would be brought among LLC members, so if you and a partner live in CA, you probably want to arbitrate in CA if the two of you had a disagreement.

Even if a Managing Agent is contracted with the HOA to oversee day to day operations, they typically by law and by their own contracts work "at the direction of the Board", where the ultimate responsibility lies.Your Governing Docs and local laws will determine your options, which are usually Mediation, Arbitration, or Lawsuit.

Hopefully remedy is limited to EM and arbitration.