Review their management agreement.

It's rare to find that in operating agreements. 

If lenders would consider a 2-3% buyers agent commission as part of the purchase price and LTV based on this (contract price + buyers agent commission) we can end this Byzantine step of the buyer’s agent having a separate agreement executed with the seller for the seller to offer to cover the buyers agent commission.  

Something to consider with a self directed IRA should you go that route is to invest in notes/promissory agreements.

Usually hotel operators have a " hotel program" , wich you can make an agreement with them .

It also is helpful to have a California LLC in case you ever sell that property and move into another state so that you do not need to form a new LLC altogether with new operating agreement, just re-register in the new state as a new foreign LLC.

Yes, your property value MAY increase (there are differing opinions about this) but, when you sell, the loan must be paid off either through the increase in price for the home or a separate agreement where the buyer assumes the loan for the solar.2.

If this isn't an attractive alternative to your business partner then you might consider changing the ownership structure or operating agreement as one of your options.

Alternative options include offering a significant down payment, a lease-option agreement, a joint venture, or a deferred closing to align with John's timeline.

I'm still a big fan of JVs and Syndications IF the operator really knows their stuff, but I am 100% in agreement with you that many in not most of the synicators that I see on here lack the experience to protect the downside risk.