It seems like if it's a sellers market, low supply and high demand, the ball is really in their field (or sand box).

You seem to think that the long term supply and demand fundamentals have changed and it will continue to appreciate ... you are local so I concede that you may be seeing things that I as an outsider looking in am not.

I know the worry of having two mortgage payments but rentals are low supply right now so there is low risk that it will be vacant for long.  

I realize a lot has to do with low supply/high demand and income growth in these counties. 

I set up Amazon subscription items to be delivered to the hotel and they restock our supplies with them.

Leave rooms unfurnished, supply basic (kijiji quality) furniture in the common rooms?

If not,go to the wholesaler and tell them you have a strongly interested buyer and you want a finders fee for the sale.10 to 15% of the wholesalers profit is fair.Unless you used your resources and information supplied by your brokerage (MLS,advertising from brokerage,etc), I would keep it under raps.If they didn't help make the deal happen,why pay them for nothing?

For example, the time of year can be a factor, especially when you couple that with weather in the market. 45-60 days does sound high to me, but could be an indicator that either there aren't a lot of renters in that area or there is an over supply of rental properties for prospective tenants to choose from.

However, One thing to note about So Cal properties is the supply is finite especially in coastal urban areas.

While that is true about many new student apartments going up in Tally, the market isn't flooded with rental supply - I respectfully disagree and I think that's a simple way of looking at it.