I also got great value from a very expensive course on how to properly buy & manage residential real estate.Regardless of cost, the ones that offered low value were the ones where the founder wanted to sell education as their main business. 

With myself as an operator I would offer the following: underwriting the deals, a detailed scope of work, a detailed material list, the labor, and the management.  

PM me you're number if you'd like.I don't have any "opportunities" or property for sale or rent at this time or anything else to offer other than info based on my experience.

It isn't having paid off properties that offers security, there are still taxes, insurance, maintenance and management involved. 

The builders right now are also offering some very nice incentives, like rate buydowns and free property management. let me know if I can help in any way and best of luck. 

You should ask them how their other creditors handle their payments.I used to offer 5 or 10 day grace periods such that rent was due on the 1st, but no late fee until 10 days later, then I reduced it to 5.

This group is an incredible collection of midterm rental hosts who support one another by offering advice and suggestions, being a sounding board for each other, offering mentorship and collaboration opportunities and share our respective networks.

That being said, liability is often the biggest concern with short-term rentals, and the underwriters have agreed to offer a general liability only policy." maybe dodged a bullet.

It is not a scam, but you will have a very hard time finding a deal that is worth working with them, and frankly you are going to have to find someone that does not understand at all what their property is worth and get them to accept a super lowball offer to make it worth it. even then their points and fees will eat up so much that getting the 10% down loan will have a much much higher profit margin. 

I agree that the market is very competitive in California - especially if you are searching via the MLS or making offers to distressed or vacant property homeowners.