Finally I came to my senses and served them a 'Notice to pay rent or vacate by the 10th of January' after which I plan to file an eviction.

Working with AvantStay caused me large ongoing financial losses.I signed on with them to manage two of my properties in vacation markets.

I realize you're starting out so it may be a while before the lucrative legal projects appear but if you enjoy your field they will because you will get very good at it. 

So if the homeowner saves energy or goes on a long vacation, they still get charged 100%.

For many, if not most, this is likely to be after a workout, coffee, and around 10:00 AM in the morning on a weekend day or on a vacation day.

One of them told me they only have to provide 15 days notice, which doesn’t help if I am on vacation for a few weeks or haven’t checked my PO Box in a few weeks.

Farmers Insurance has a vacation rental division called Foremost. 

Perhaps if your partner was a general contractor or handyman type there may be some merit there to reduce costs / increase profitability.If your partner enjoys deal sourcing, a better move might be for him to become an agent - so he could legally collect commissions from finding deals and managing properties for multiple people. 

My wife and I live in Chicago and vacation in San Diego every year.  

We want to be traveling and sailing throughout the year, not just when a job allows me to use my 10 days of vacation.