Costly lesson but it'll all work out!

Yes there are some drawbacks for condos, but overall it is something that can work out really well.

I feel like the people I've talked to thus far do most of the renovation work themselves, but I haven't talked to enough people that contract the work out so they're not in the weeds on a day to day as much as I'd prefer not to be.

You could work out an agreement to sign for a single property if you have something specific in mind instead of using a blanket agreement.

. :)Would love to hear how things work out for you, I know people throw around a lot of dismal stats about starting out in real estate but I was a long shot and I lasted (including through the recession as a single-income person, my husband conveniently showed up in 2012 :) and I have a friend who started out new in 2007, right when we were gearing up for the recession - she did amazingly well while other agents were leaving real estate - combination of good sphere, amazing work ethic, high competence and she's very good at articulating her value. 

Real Estate is a relationship business and people want to work with cool people -  so be cool and things will work out.

So I've been reading the Richmond Rent Control ordinances, and municipal codes related to 'second units' here:https://library.municode.com/ca/richmond/codes/cod...I think it's going to work out for us, and won't be under rent control or eviction control as long as we live in the main house. 

That being said, there is a difference with feeling uncomfortable with a deal and fearing the deal might not work out.

Now she's reasonable so this might work out.

Worst case, you can close your bank account and change the locks so they no longer have access, and work out the legal ramifications later.What you are experiencing really isn't a nightmare.