However I've been told that emails are highly preferable because they can track the IP address....anyone could pick up someone's cell phone. 

Do you think that was more like an EULA on a cell phone, just some legal mumbo jumbo you had to sign through to get things done but didn't really believe was ever a "real" potential? 

Compare the budgets, where is the fat? 

I already live out in the country so cell service isn't great, but then they lost a number of cell towers and since internet was down just about everywhere, the cell towers were overloaded.

The "Value add" by most wholesalers usually adds up to a big fat zero.

But we have a lot of interaction with guests before they ever arrive - we require a photo ID of whomever has booked our house (and the name and info has to match the booking info), a working cell phone number that we will send a test message to by text to confirm it belongs to the guest (or is at least in their possession), and we converse with them to let them know what to expect from us (and if we have any specific concerns we share those as well) - for example, this week if we had anyone scheduled to arrive we would be discussing the incoming hurricane. 

Shoot me a message if interested and I can share his cell so you two can connect. 

Think the puck stops with you trying to be some form of leader on here.Self proclaimed "Zen" of Real Estate, give me a fat ****ing break. 

My cell phone number could not be any more public!

They take marketing photos on their cell phones.