Should I be looking for one GC to handle the process or just hire individual subs? 

I will look into those individuals.

As an individual holding the deposit with no pm I would also say it was for rent first since that is easiest to deduct with not much of a defense from the tenant. 

Would I use the LLC to seek lending or should I do it as a private individual?

Not looking for typical hard money lenders but individuals with capital that I can work together with on buy and hold deals.

We're not talking about an influx of unskilled laborers... we're talking about extremely intelligent nerdy folks that live or come to California that have enabled the state to consistently lead the nation in innovation and new technologies.

@Ryan Phelps, my apologies, I forgot there is no sarcasm font on the internet....yet.A true private lender is an individual who is lending money. 

My community was non-warrantable because is a small complex (only 11 units) and one individual owned a few of the units and many others were not used as primary residences. 

If not, what is an effective source that would enable me to take action?

You are speaking of broad categories, when the fact is that individual deals are what matters, not categories of investment.