Partially because you did not rent it for an entire year but mostly because of upfront expenses: getting it ready for rent, buying furniture, electronics, and other furnishings, stocking up on initial supplies, and so on.

Are they efficient at doing the electronic payments from the tenant's account to the landlord's account?

There is step by step guide, more an art than science.

The BibleLegacyExtreme OwnershipThe Art of the Deal101 Ways to Market as a Real Estate InvestorAll I Really Need to Know I Learned in KindergartenReading investment books will be like putting four different race cars tires on the same race car  and expecting that car to win a race   It won’t    

I don't know if this is one of the new things or not, but this is now in there under 3.7.7, "You also acknowledge and agree that we may on occasion offer discount pricing for your Property; provided that (i) any such offers will be available with respect to a broad number of Listings and not limited to your Property; (ii) we will provide you with electronic notice of such discount(s); and (iii) you may opt out of a particular offer."

Electronic keypad deadbolts.

I want to leave a lock box on our shirt term rental in case there is a problem with the electronic lock.

They also have a deadbolt version to use with a non-locking doorknob: https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE595-CAM-622-Electronic/dp/B...There are newer doorknobs that are WiFi compatible so you can monitor and even change codes remotely.

Tenants on electronic autopay, so easy.

Notice may be given by: (A) regular mail; (B) certified mail, return receipt requested; (C) personal delivery to any resident; (D) personal delivery at the property to any occupant over 16 years old; (E) electronic mail delivery to the email address used by the Tenant to submit the lease application.