My understanding is that the the mechanics of the transaction would occur much like a conventional transaction with a third party title company.

It looks like it is withholding applied to you when you file your MD non-resident state tax return.if you over-paid, you get some sort of refund.Some states require title companies to withhold on non-residents to force that person to file a return.

They selected a So Cal title company and a escrow company and said it's too late to change now since we are going to close on Monday.I am purchasing this house by cash, and I see they listed the lender's title insurance for $1650.

This company called Zoom Prospector / GIS Planning does great demographic stuff in the PNW and Midwest.You can also purchase data... costs a few hundred, but may be worth it for scoping out-of-state stuff.

New companies like Intel, Amazon, and Google are also investing here.

There are a few companies that will help connect you with out of state turnkey properties and management companies. 

Multiple, billion dollar companies are investing heavy in our area, such as Intel, Google, and Amazon.

So the mortgage companies and the IRS set the exact same threshold for being a second home or being a an investment property.My CPA however has advised me that there are caveats for doing repairs, or periodically visiting to inspect it, that allow you to exceed the 14 day leisure limit.

The last rate hike request got denied by the insurance commissioner and there will be a hearing sometime this summer I believe (I’m sure a rate hike will follow but not the one the insurance companies asked for) weather events certainly can impact but typically it is just a quick in and out hurricane and of course, hope for minimal damage to property.  

Alongside my work in real estate brokerage, I also own a short-term management company called HAVN.