TLDR: Pre-approval seems like a good thing but it can lead to lost bookings or a time sink (has anyone spent less than 20-30 minutes on the phone with VRBO trying to fix something??).

I talked to numerous California investors in real life and phone/Zoom calls who have lost money in far away OOS markets, mostly Midwest markets (e.g. repairs, capital expenses, bad tenants, properties vandalized while under renovation, evicted tenant stole all the appliances, property managers with high fees or overcharging for repairs).

Is there something I need to do to get my phone number and name disassociated with these properties or at least made private?

You can get the cashier's check and do any other banking transactions from the convenience of your home office or mobile device without ever going to the branch with any of these banks. 

I had already had a great phone conversation with Bob Dreher and am on their investor list.

Whitestone was very evasive on the phone call I had with them.Appreciate the input.

So, you can activate a channel remotely from your phone, tablet computer, etc (Yes, this would involve a guest sending you a msg, if it’s a channel that doesn’t do #3)3.

I created a Meeting for each prospect and enter their name, phone & email.

What is said on the phone or in their marketing matters not.

I like the West Mobile area, its class A area, you can definitely find deals there, 3 bedroom with 2 bathroom for around 220k or so, you may have to wait a couple of years for positive cash flow but properties there increasing in values better than others.