For example, I mention that every adult must pay a $30 application fee, pass my credit/criminal background, make a combined income of 3x the rent, and whether or not the property accepts pets.

On your tax return you would report the proceeds, subtract costs and proceeds paid to seller, then the remaining profit would be your flat fee.

You could structure the deal as an installment sale or a lease option so the property owner doesn't see a large capital gain tax payment for the sale.And good on you for helping out!

Perhaps an installment sale will also achieve what you want if you can keep their income below a rate thrshold. if they are sensitive to capital gains, then think through options where you can get it stepped up. 

One thing you might think of doing is having and promoting your own website to avoid the exhorbitant fees charged by the third party sites such as Expedia, Booking.com and Air BnB.  

The terms for a 2nd position loan on a rental is 6%, 25 year term,  and 2 points origination fee.  

I am also trying to get my investment back so I can pay my Kids college Fee.

I have a property manager, but my checks are only a few hundred a month if I'm lucky after all the fees and expenses.

I’m not too caught up on the fees, fees are fees and I pay what my brokers acquirers.

•One-year rental restrictions aren’t necessarily a dealbreaker if you can afford to cover association fees for that time or live in the unit while making upgrades.2.