Cory, I very much appreciate your response.

Sounds like it makes sense for you to partner, I would suggest: spell out responsibilities very clearly, how you make decisions and most importantly: have a very clearly spelled out exit. 

For the lease, can you list the girlfriend as an occupant rather than a co-tenant since she won’t be a financially responsible party?

Could it attract squatters, or is it the right move for responsible property management?

When it comes to hooking up my follow-up system I've seen a lot of other CRMs fall short with drips (lack of good time delays, no custom mailing function, doesn't pause with a response, can send auto messages after a deal closes, etc) 

At the same time though, if you are the one who walked into the store and tried on the clothes and asked the sales clerk how it looks, then your asking to be influenced. if you spend time on a real estate investing website where people are in the business of investing in real estate and you ask if you should invest, you will likely get a lot of responses that say you should invest in real estate and let me help you for a fee.

It would help the forum (and the responses) if you could provide a little more context.

Without getting into the weeds of our conversation, their response was as expected highlighting their service and ability to facilitate a loan.

I kind of get excited when I see these silly laws in other states, because I know mine will pass a law to give me MORE rights as a property owner in response to that. 

Great response and very informative!