But there's other initial time expenditures such as getting the listing up and running, etc.After that, you'll have a little bit of a learning curve while you figure out the most efficient ways to communicate with the guests, but once you hit a pattern with that, there are tools you can begin using to automate the repetitive parts (and after awhile, a lot of it gets repetitive!).  

As of today I will start accruing business expenses and since I am starting small I want to be sure my money is used efficiently.

Use your energy and resources on the important things.Best of luck and happy investing!

Investing so much in locks is not the smart way to go, but I do have a master key system in all my units right now and I can tell you that it saves me a lot of time and energy. 

Hmmm...one front house 3/2 with apparent garage converted into two efficiencies and one 1/1.

Personally I would rather stay with the momentum and invest in real estate (VNQ) and maybe short something that is under performing like energy or commodities. 

Options can be structured in various ways and important to maximize tax efficiencies..

This can help them measure and account for the time, energy, and money they invested.

It could very well be the case that they just don't have the energy to do it. 

Since this is your first time through, you need to adapt away from things that don't work for you, and revise your process for more efficiency and success.It's all an educational process.