Side question- do you guys recommend manually doing CMA's or using an online CMA service?

Have you ever put $xK into an online trading platform only then to allow it to sit fallow? 

I list it online and have a two-hour open house while my tenants are still in place.

If you want to make sure they're done, do them yourself.....I like the 'bonding' concept as well.... this visit will also give you a chance to check for small leaks under sinks, any damage caused by tenant, go up and check out the roof penetrations, check around the siding for a good seal at openings, Etc, Etc....Go online and find a home inspector checklist, that will give you a rough guideline of things to look for....

They have been stealing rental listings, lowering the price and posting those fake ads online, especially on Craigslist, Facebook & Zillow, and posing as the landlord.

I've worked in property management for 2 years now and it's really helped me gain a better understanding of the industry, and has been helpful studying for my broker's exam as I've encountered many examples of items I'm now formally learning about. 

Also, when I go online and look at the auditor's website, more often than not, I pull up the permitting records, and there are none, despite the fact that there are new windows, roofs, porches, and siding. 

According to a few calculators online, we would need to have more income besides our jobs to qualify for $900,000+, at least $220,000.

In CA once a licensee has taken their exam they're notified of their results immediately. 

Instead of asking if you should get it, you should research what being a real estate agent entails and if it will benefit you.if you have another job, you will likely be doing the real estate license part-time.There are two main reasons that people get the real estate license1) To make money via commissions2) to have access to the MLS and view properties(I don't think this is a good reason as you can view sites like zillow/trulia/redfin)Real Estate investing is hard in itself, no need to spend the many hours taking classes/exams to complicate the investing portion of real estate.