Well done on the SoCal properties! 

Is it common to protect your list or are you open to sharing with fellow investors your know?

I listed my property for rent in Zillow for a few days until it disabled my account.

As far as closing costs go, see below:-Title fees-Title insurance-Hazard Insurance-Lender's closing fee, underwriting fee, or any other flat fee they charge-Origination fee-Attorney fee (if the property is in an attorney state)-Doc fee for closing docs-Prepaid interest through the end of the month you are closing-Recording and transfer fees on titleThat will cover most of your normal closing fees. 

I have a theory that I can share which might help you avoid some of the common bad behaviors.

Hey BP fam, I have a property that desperately needs a way out,The property has been on the market for a little bit, sellers just recently bought the property so they don’t have much equity. immediately I thought, subject too until I saw they had a 7.5% interest rate.

Try looking into zillow/Redfin and see what your potential rents you can get near the neighborhood by filtering the bedrooms/bathrooms of the intentional property that you are planning to buy.

I feel the deposit is a good thing because it incentives the tenant to take care of the property.

I am a property manager and am reaching out to self-managing STR property owners to learn how others handle their tax remittances.

We already operate an Airbnb on our property in NY.Any recommendations?