Gutted the entire building and left the exterior as is.

Then you could make the case that there were non-renters damaging the building and it could qualify as Vandalism. 

Looking forward to the responses and building meaningful connections. - Brian

with help of AI:for a room to be legally considered a bedroom in California according to building codes, it must meet the following key requirements:Entrance: The bedroom needs at least two methods of egress - it should be accessible from inside the house (commonly through a door), and have one other exit like a window or door.Ceiling Height: At least 50% of the bedroom ceiling must be a minimum of 7 feet in height.

Option 1:Pros:Simplicity: You avoid the potential complications of alerting the lender.Maintains Low-Interest Rate: Since your loan is at 3%, you continue benefiting from this favorable rate.Avoids Immediate Full Payment: You won’t be forced to come up with $45k immediately.Cons:Risk of Detection: If the lender identifies the payments coming from an LLC, they might call the loan due.Potential Consequences: If the lender enforces the due on sale clause, you might be forced to pay the remaining loan balance quickly.Option 2:Pros:Transparency: Being upfront might build trust with the lender.Possible Flexibility: Given your solid payment history, the lender might agree to the arrangement.Legal Compliance: You avoid any potential issues with violating the terms of your mortgage agreement.Cons:Risk of Loan Acceleration: The lender could still decide to call the loan due, forcing you to pay the remaining balance.Potential for Higher Payments: If forced to refinance, you might end up with a higher interest rate.Given the pros and cons of each option, but a cautious approach might be best:Consult a Real Estate Attorney: This can give you a clear understanding of your legal standing and potential risks.Evaluate the Importance of the 3% Rate: Weigh the benefits of keeping your low-interest rate against the risks of potentially having to pay off the loan early.Consider a Gradual Transition: This method allows you to continue benefiting from the low-interest rate while reducing the risk of triggering the due on sale clause.

Does anyone have advice or tips for me on what the best way for me to build my REI knowledge would be so that when I do have the adequate funds, I am already equipped with a very good base knowledge.

I'd like to keep $100k equity for myself and sell the other $500k to equity investor(s) so I can keep the excellent mortgage (fixed at 3.25%) and take advantage of the cash flow and build more equity.

It's none of their business what is going on with the other tenants in the building.

However, here are some considerations:Permitting: Unpermitted structures are often a red flag for lenders because they may not meet local building codes or safety standards.

This is through a conventional, no PMI loan.Investing in Commercial Real Estate:Commercial properties include office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, and more.