I have a unit turning over start mid this month.  

If you reach out to a local title company, they sometimes do a basic title search for $50-$100. 

The previous leasing company confirmed the resident had paid their rent on time every time.

Let’s start with some basics of realistic expenses offset versus unrealistic gold rush paradigms in a high cost, high tax, low occupancy state:You’re not getting 20% CoC.

So if that's your goal in the near future, you should start off by just managing it yourself.  

Just starting out and looking to learn as much as I can while still working a 9-5.

Free now to start a new adventure. 

I'd start with networking at your local REIAs and maybe a Bigger Pockets meetup once this storm blows by you.  

However, due to it being:1) In the state of California2) A shared home, rather than an outright external property being rented...the default insurance company on offer advised that many carriers are pulling out of CA and that I should go to a local insurance agency.My current insurance for home policy does not offer a "home-sharing endorsement" but only a separate renter's insurance, which would complicate things, since it's for traveling professionals, and they're not going to be booking for 12 straight months.

Your local market is a good start!