What are the best sources or methods you use to accurately set rental rates in your area?

Naturally, they are your competition and the daily rates need to be taken into account.

I'm just not seeing any strategy that can offset to any significant degree, the depreciating nature of either asset.  

The seller seeing the interest in their land, naturally did not want to budge on the price.

It has solar power, a compost toilet, and other things of that nature to be self-sustaining.

Used houses in the area sell anywhere from $75-125 a square foot.These are long term rentals that I do not plan to sell.I am reading the Rental Property Investing book and implementing the method that focuses on cash flow and that strategy states you need to have $300 cash flow per month, per property.

Are there any methods you want to stick with?

Additionally, I understand the risks associated with obtaining hard cash and working with hard money lenders, including higher interest rates due to the short term nature of the loan as well as the risk involved.

(G) Acceptable forms of payment of Rent (including Additional Rent) are ___ personal check, ___ cashier’s check, ___ bank check, ___ money order, and ___ the following online/ACH payment methods ____________________.

Most likely the state where the property is located is where lawsuits would be brought if they are something for personal injury like a trip and fall or something of that nature because the “cause of action” arose in that state.