If you know of any online forums or organizations where I can learn from others and expand my network and knowledge on wholesaling or getting my first deal, I’d really appreciate any recommendations Thanks in advance for your help!

Subscribe to the local paper online, start to follow the real estate market locally.

It is an ugly, tragic reality in California and everywhere else where it exsists.When I moved from Canada to the US it was shocking that I had to stand in line at 5 am at the free clinic w/10 other people just to get medical care for strep throat.

is there a way for me to create an online STR guestbook for free? 

They’re doing this across all online platforms. 

To managed it a bit easier (when you grow to more than a dozen), it'll be better to have one online login and manage all 'child' accounts.

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

Look at other rentals in the area and see not only how they are advertising or promoting online but also the inside and outside of the rental so you can create a similar environment to try to replicate the same results.

You should be able to search (if your county has online records) for your tenant’s name and/or all previous addresses listed on the tenant’s credit report.

BiggerPockets is an awesome online community for anyone interested in real estate investing.