You certainly have a tiger by the tail building a spec in California.

I'd pull back for a few weeks while you prepare, letting him that  think you're just going to walk away, like a beat dog with it's tail between it's legs, same as all the others he's likely done wrong in the past.

However, we should have purchased it for cash and whole-tailed it.

We can't tell as we don't know what machine it is, the lease terms, or claims that could arise or your lien or title matters.The LL is covering their tail as a bailee, they are responsible for what's inside.

Very interesting information on the "Long Tail".

Maybe he won't sue your tail off!

If you are looking at the tail end of markets, that's where you're going to be competing with cash buyers. 

The only other option is to allow the tail to continue wagging the dog in this relationship.

The ones that are experienced, usually have their ducks in a row and know exactly what's needed to get the project done, so it's streamlined and easy to follow.If you get an inexperienced lender, contractor, etc... you're going to feel like you're chasing your tail and be taken on a wild goose chase to get all the paperwork and protocols taken care of.

@Caleb Kacal1) Get a college degree in business or practical stem degree2) Get into a hot and high paying industry like tech, investment banking or consulting 3) Work your tail off in that 9-5 and job hop upwards for more money 4) In the process, keep buying properties, heck, live with your parents for first 5 years if have to 5) Get 10 units by 33.