What makes it more passive compared to other asset classes is the ability to automate it or train someone to run it with relative short training period.  

I started seriously posting to zillow and trulia and I keep getting the same message which I'm assuming is a automated request by people interested in the rental:"I am interested in this rental and would like to schedule a viewing.

It was a bit easier and less expensive to get into Podio before they purchased Globiflow, since you did not have to purchase the higher level or Podio to get the automation most need.

I am a data guru/excel junky and part of my professional gig is building automated tools using Excel and Access and lots of coding and macros. 

A platform to perform workouts would have to be a licensed servicer or the owner of the loan due to licensing and you have to be careful about automation on these matters if that is a background thought - ie - robosigning issue.Assign tasks to do what?  

In the interest of automating, are you familiar with Google Forms, @Dale Lotts?

The automation for you, your staff, your tenants, and owners will saves you 2 salaries in the long run.

Bigger banks that are fully automated are usually the most flexible. 

Smoking, pets, musical instruments, etc etc etc.

I have no clue why their closing attorney doesn't use, uniformly, a deed-of-trust security instrument.