december has one unit fully booked, 2 units half booked, and one unit that is virtually the same as one of the half booked units that has literally 0 nights booked (why?

Some attorneys charge for every communication and any contact with your attorney that is not case related may rack up fees to you.

If you feel passionate about managing them yourself, I'd recommend getting as much done and communicated up front.

That’s our primary method of communication so it works.

I agree they had communication issues during a transition period that we dealt with, but things have improved from last year. 

And in my opinion both have their pros and cons and neither is superior to the other (and that's why I have both in my portfolio).Passive investments can be structured in virtually any way and usually they pass on the exact same tax benefits as direct (at least from the ones that I consider to be "acceptable").

Single lane driveway = not good for MTR in a multifamily because tenants will not want to communicate with the other unit to move their cars.

Just make sure to document everything and keep communication open.

There's really not a cost-effective solution for utility monitoring for SFR, other than Nest.WhatsApp for business communications is lmited - how do you scale and hire someone to handle, while being able to track what they do?

Sending threatening communications is not a good way to start a long term relationship with the people who own the home you live in.