My understanding of CA LLC's is that they are very high cost to start and maintain. 

Every system you try will have flaws, or you may salivate over a feature that appears in other software.Some familiar names are mentioned frequently: Stessa, Apartments.com, RentRedi, TenantCloud, Innago, RentManager, Avail, Rentec Direct, Doorloop, etc.I recommend conducting thorough research on each app online to understand their offerings, pricing, etc.

This is coming from someone to stepped out of W2 in their early/mid 30s, and I can tell you first hand it's not cheap and anybody that tries this really does not understand the reality of it.To your other questions, cash flow is just a mechanism of leverage nothing less or more.

Just trying to understand what sellers expectations are.Thank you for any pointers including things I may be missing.I gathered from your insightful questions that you’re an experienced commercial property investor.  

Additionally, I'm interested in understanding typical STR fees to help estimate cash flow.If anyone is willing to share their experiences or offer advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

@Greg SeivertMost lenders that work with real estate investors understand that you may show a paper loss and they won't hold it against you.

RJ Gullo advertises everywhere about 1031 exchanges - I've never used him, but I know he does them.From what I understand about what you said it looks like you are trying to do an installment sale (downpayment now, then payments overtime).

Maybe you can help the investors you meet with all the miscellaneous tasks involved with investing like picking up rent checks, turning over properties for new tenants, or even just driving by occasionally to make sure their properties are in good condition.I'd also recommend spending a lot of time looking at all the homes you're targeting in your area, both online and in person.

We do get some showing complaints, but 98% of the times, kids are understanding and are fine with it.

I have a lot of houses that my friends with say is "high crime", but that is because it is areas they would not live and do not understand.