@Frank Rolfe your thoroughness and detailed replies are unbelievable.

Alternatively, use an attorney or Title Co for the first one, and use that as your template for any in the future.As for the timing, I'm not sure it matters much if it's before/after tenants.  

I want to put down as little as possible and am interested in any alternative programs that help do so. 

Alternatively, just throw up a license agreement through a basic web auth that prompts for guest name and email like every hotel chain anywhere is doing now except by asking for your room number and doing the math for you in their reservation system.

Is there any other alternative financing available?

Hi Anthony,  For what it is worth, you have some good advice above, but I'll offer an alternative perspective for thought. 

If however the rent gap and difference is very wide then the business owner has to really see the value in the office space as a necessary cost to their business model versus alternatives at cheaper costs.       

Most SoCal folks without hoards of money or hard money backing look out of town or OOS (out of state) for cheaper alternatives.

We're already looking into alternative loans as we've run out of our options with conventional being in the STR game (DTI ratio too high since most don't recognize STR income). 

Alternatively, if you are accredited (not always required, but more opportunities if you are) and have money to invest going into a handful of syndications as an LP is a great way to learn too.