Looking to by one or two LTR props prior to year-end. 

For closing costs, some amortize with the building (27.5 years) and some with the loan (for my typical RE loan that'd be 5 years straight-line, but ofc if you refi early than it pulls in). 

Please recommend a SAFE way to invest cash ( ~20k) for a short period of time, about 6 months. 

This way, you get that Freelike cash every year on 2 houses at a time, every year for 15 years.

We talked about this: AirBNB's Fall Report, How one UK STR has a 2-year waitlist, and more in this week's edition of BiggerStays, the weekly BiggerPockets short-term rental newsletter.

the inspection was easy but indicated I needed to add screws to the condenser to attach to platform (seems reasonable and no idea why contractor did not do it, he also trusted me to do it as no reinspection and all signed off), but more than a year to get the permit opened. 

There may be a year when we don't find one good deal and there are significant prices that have to be paid you are not always told about.

Have owned many years and always wanted to add a second line but the cost.Would you EVER consider spending $17,800 to save $2493 per year in water cost? 

I had a similar idea last year and discussed it with a RE attorney in Texas.

Have you investigated full roof replacement to seal it completely and gain a warranty on the roof for a few years to eliminate leak concerns?