Even things I thought I knew, I apparently misunderstood.UgghhhhBut I guess all of that is ok, because I know I'm green right now, a newborn, I'm just screaming a little bit. 

Here's a quick link, to which I am not affiliated or even familiar with, but which seems to address the issues you are looking at: http://www.email2db.com/ You might also look into an SMS (text messaging) solution so that it appears that you are communicating quickly and efficiently with your guests to build those oh so important reviews.http://www.orbisasia.com/solutions/automated-sms/Of course listening to J talk about his AirBnB success has set this new deal I'm working screaming through my head and how to take it and convert it into a 13 unit AirBnB complex.  

The way it works around here is any guest or visitor that comes to the rental home that does any alterations or damage to the home, the person on the lease is liable for it.  

Guess that is why everyone is screaming about the need for rent control.San Mateo 3/2 selling for $1.6M (roughly $8400/mo PITI) would rent for roughly $4200/mo.But that is still roughly $4K/mo you could put into investments elsewhere.This should solve your DTI issue, but may, or may not, be a better investment in the end than just sticking with your primary.

Can you send me a report about: 1. how many open houses you had there 2. how many visitors you had during and after the open houses 3. were there any bids for how much?

I am no economist, but the whole thing SCREAMS "bubble."

It screams Motel 6

that screams someone will be disenfranchised. 

We want to be busy with visitors and then close up the places (or rent them for medium terms like for traveling nurses or project managers) and then take off and backpack for weeks at a time.

They get Yosemite visitors during the summer and during the winter they get some visitors for Dodge Ridge Ski Resort.