It is true that voice contact or in-person contact generally lead to showings more often than just online correspondence, basically because people will trust you more.

-What is a realistic build cost per sqft in Texas for a base unit 2/2 with a 2 car garage and a basic 2/2 ?

We basically run the company like a hotel since its short term rentals.

Basically you will be paying a higher property tax in TX and higher CA income tax as you reside here.

I do vinyl plank flooring.. and basics.. the water was leaking from which line?

The single family rental product has to be tailored to long term tenancy or they are losers.The rest of my expenses are carefully underwritten and basically match my pro-forma. 

If anybody could link me to any great RE books, podcasts or how or where I should start, just basically starting, then growing.

I purchased a whole bunch of real estate books to learn all the basics so I can engage intelligently in real estate related conversations and plan to join a local meetup group today. 

First off real estate is not a "job" but more of a career .you are an independent contractor, basically self employed, What you put into it you get out of it, you do not draw a wage or a salary , you are paid a commission, you get paid when a property closes. lets say you sell a property for 300,000 and the commission is 18,000.

But so you can answer let put down some basics.