I just want to collect the rent online, an easy way to organize tenants and maintenance, and basic automated accounting without paying an arm and a leg.

As for startup costs and automation.

You should look at some of the new built for you automation with reibb.Great company and people.

The only trick to this is that the person holding the note would have to write the note as a non-recourse loan (which is a 1 paragraph statement within a normal loan) as your SDIRA cannot have a normal recourse loan (since your SDIRA is its' own entity and you cannot guarantee the funds with your other financial instruments).  

I'd guess here, most have a "program" don't really do much underwriting and look to the LTV and property along with experience as Don points out.Let's put it this way, the FBI considers a mortgage as a security instrument, according to the regional Agent In Charge in my area.

We not only have signs out in the property but also use an app called hospitible.com that automates the communications between me and the guests.

That is what I use and they automate the process.

I've made a grand total of two (2) RE deals since 2016 & the premium software was instrumental to the success of both:-I purchased a SFH flip in 2016 shortly after converting from the free version to premium.

As a techie, I suggest you use more of the automated intelligence of the thermostat you paid for.1.

But make it automated.