You also need to be aware that custodians are passive in nature and simply process transactions at your direction.

We did this to keep more cash available for future deals, and to have reserves on hand.

Naturally, I spoke with my network, letting them know that I was pursuing my RE Estate license.

These are reserves that you set aside every month, so that when something eventually needs replacement (i.e. roofs, foundation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.), you have the reserves set aside to pay for it without killing your cash flow for the year. 

I know Total Wine has classrooms you can reserve free and request free tasting.

What numbers are you using for reserves, etc.?

I have a few investors reaching out to me to do business with, but I don’t personally know them and I’m naturally cautious because I want to make sure any deals I do are clean and that I’ll receive my initial deposit and profit in return.

When that time comes, make sure you have a liquid emergency fund set up and set aside that will help you weather the financial storms WHEN they come (lenders will also likely require you to have cash reserves).

I tend to avoid HOA rental properties altogether because of the convoluted nature of predicting the HOA's behavior and being able to perform due diligence to do so.

That's the nature of property management.