I've recently changed careers (01/2017) and am self employed as a RE Agent so I don't have a steady income to pay it down!

Based off my experience working turnover at a large apartment complex, we assessed cleaning damages two ways.

Following - I'm based in California

Setting up a US based entity is your first step, you are already doing that it seems. 

I could be giving advice based on my years of investing in Mexico and the Riviera Maya and helping many buyers and investors do so but I won't because I have no fiduciary duty towards you and you're going to be the one to bear the consequences.

Civil records clerk claims the only forms they have are landlord/tenant eviction based on non payment of rent and I need to google the form I need. 

@Ashley Wolfe  When Amazon relocated their distribution facility from my town, a lot of people left to find employment elsewhere. 

Clear both of them and you're good to go.As far as zoning, you'll need to confirm required parking per unit based on available land.

Since I am self-employed, I will likely be looking at hard money lenders (HMLs), non-QM lenders (bank statement loans, DSCR loans, and small, local, regional banks and credit unions.

Also, based on previous year, I would try to give a stated amount and put it on the lease instead of dealing with dividing up the bill each month.