Definitely the best place to meet like-minded investors!

Same goes for number of LLCs and what to fund them with, since bear in mind that CA tends to be more cumbersome and expensive to have LLCs than other states.California is generally more cumbersome than other states when it comes to taxes and filings.

Definitely something I will keep in mind for my first property.

Keep in mind, you should have already had a conversation with the hard money Lender to know their terms and process, and be ready to perform. 

Agree it is difficult to assess costs when they vary so much by location.Keep in mind that some turnovers are sickenly expensive, and that is just the nature of the business. 

Consider connecting with local REI meetups, hospitality groups, or even online forums like this one to find like-minded investors.You could also pitch your successful track record to potential equity partners.

I am the real estate professional and I worked with hard money lender This sounds like the exact same strategy a client of mind uses in Kansas City!

I feel it's extremely important that I link with like-minded individuals.

Please keep in mind investors, not every deal that you place under contract will close - that's just the nature of the beast when it comes to investing. 

I do it manually (and keep in mind, it also depends on the state and location - VRBO does for some and not for others, Airbnb does for some and not for others) I know many folks happy with Avalara though.