I’m not focused on volume, but rather on maximizing the assignment fee per deal, compared to doing multiple smaller deals to achieve the same result.My question is: Where can I find sellers with messy titles?

That's the other challenge that i've learned, with only one month as SD, if the tenant leaves even in a relatively new build the fees add up. 

Depending on the quality of the lead, how much work you’ve done with them, the exact source, the property in question, etc, they may range from worthless to worth a small referral fee.  

Paying this out of pocket is going to hurt badly after I've already lost rent for the past 6 months plus court fees.

For tenant screening, applicants complete an online application, upload dox to verify their identity and pay a $45 screening fee (This is how turbo tenant monetizes).

If they fail to pay the taxes, plus fees and interest, within that time, then the property legally becomes yours.

We successfully set up the co-hosting on Airbnb where I receive the agreed upon 18% + the cleaning fee.

If you signed a 3% buyers representation agreement and the seller is only paying 2.5% and nothing more then just ask that your agent amend the buyers representation to 2.5% so you are not on the hook for the last %I will say, some agents are VERY strict and won't budge from 3% fee which in my opinion is kind of ridiculous.If you are my client and the seller is only paying a 2.5 % fee I won't ask you for the additional 0.5%.

Did you collect application/screening fees from all of them?

I have read in forums that upfront fees are generally big no-no's.