I've been recently quoted $800 on a simple purchase, and it sounds much higher than I'm used to.

I ended up picking no escrow account to keep things simple and so I knew the insurance and property taxes would get paid

It’s definitely not as simple as others, but I’m sure you can find some if you dig.

It was a fairly simple process mostly paperwork.

Drive for Dollar - This is a very simple driving around the neighborhoods you will like to own a rental property (you can use an App) and look for any property with tall grass, bushes, abandoned house etc. then skip trace the seller(s).

This was a simple question of what I should be expecting and wanting to know how these things tend to work with other people and whether I was thinking too much into it or not...

You will get more monthly cash flow and be in a position to capture more upside IMO.   

I can tell you Steve this simple conversation we are having is GOLD  for those in this business who may not realize fully how credit works. 

Of course, SDGE bills the highest price per kwh at the most common times.I'd recommend just going solar w/ a simple PPA or lease program.

So many watch HGTV or Youtube and believe this stuff is simple and basic.