I've heard of folks using the equity in their rental properties to purchase additional properties and I'm trying to learn if this would make sense for me.

For me personally I dont see the purpose of open carry and can't see me doing it.

Knowing that I had a 3-year prepayment penalty, I structured the lease option so that if the option is executed within 3 years, then the tenant buyer pays that fee for me. 

I thought my next most important step for me would be finding a deal with deep enough discount for me to make mistake. 

I have no need for the rent collection or tenant screening as this is a function my property manager does for me.

I am not sure about what you are reflecting in the cleaning number but for me 1) it is shocking what cleaners charge but it is not where you want to try to save money for quality 2) it is a pass through, the guest pays it. $250 per turn would be for larger unit and very good job.  

Google Forms are nice to input cash transactions directly into spreadsheet, to get applications from tenants, to ask virtual assistants to enter data.

You can then check with the local county if the deed is in fact in that name (caution: if the property was bought recently, the county may not have caught up on the paperwork).Just be careful and NEVER give any form of cash to the seller, always send EM/downpayment to a title company that you have verified.

Does allow for me to save quickly.

The big question for me:  When I start to build, should the properties be held in an entity?