Some of these questions you can get some help with by talking to a lender.

Boiling down your post, you are asking the following question: "Why do so many GPs want to raise capital in $25K - $250K (sometimes up to $1M+) increments from 'unsophisticated accredited investors' instead of from institutions?"

Also, on the refinance, I would have the same question about the term of the loan.

It became the summer of RV rentals and long bike rides to get ice cream with my three year old strapped behind me asking a steady stream of questions, a.k.a.

Hey @Eli Rods - I think this is a great initiative but I don't think you'll have the most luck finding the answer to your question in this forum. 

Please feel free to DM me if you have any other questions!

The answer to your question will be found in your lease agreement and no one here has read it so any advice would not add tremendous value.

He claims he doesn’t allow access until the very end so you don’t get distracted and bombard him with questions while he’s teaching, but the truth is he doesn’t want you to see you bought yourself $10k worth of recycled guru garbage until its too late.

Things have changed over the last few years so do not be afraid to ask questions before you apply any learned principals.

Good question.