Later, I received an email from VRBO stating that they could not lift the restrictions if we could not prove a disaster and that the cabins had actually flooded.These folks are out of control.

His family is a major player in the affordable housing market and new developments.

I got un-renewed by my old ins and rejected by almost all ins companies (except for some crazy ones quoting me 10k/year) on my primary house, which is far from any fire zone but I had 2 claims on my 2 rentals (I am a small player so under my name not LLC) in the past 3 years so I got fked. 

Further, these “asset protection” methods are under constant creditor attack through the courts, meaning they are probably of benefit only a short period of time, UNLESS, true CONTROL of the asset is given up.  

I've been told both extremes by several different people, but that's crazy to hold the agent responsible when they're forcing this arbitrary rule just so they can go after agents and brokers for something they had zero control over.  

What I struggle with today is how to attack it.Option 1, which was my original plan, was to get control of a $1-2MM property using mostly borrowed and possibly silent investor funds.

Your lease agreement is going to control your situation, unless your state statutes have something on point (unlikely to your situation though). 

Next year the HAP payment could change entirely and you have no control over that.  

I swear I can't control it... there's this sarcastic voice inside me that just takes over.'

Jim invested in a small apartment complex, and within two years, not only did the property's value appreciate significantly, but the rental income also provided a steady cash flow.Real estate offers a level of control and tangible value that can be really rewarding.