As I read your post, the reoccurring theme that came up was a screening problem. 

Because that money is inheritance and not from W2 or a reoccurring source, you really cannot bank on that.

If the answer to 1 is yes, then am I just stuck footing the bill if a flea problem were to reoccur?

I would look for a custodian who does not charge a fee based on your assets.I normally see the costs being A one time set-up fee along with an annual reoccuring fee.The thing you want when opening up an SDIRA is that the return that you will make with alternative investments will be greater than the fee that is charged to you for the SDIRA plus the return you would have likely gotten with a regular IRA.

Also trying to find the best strategy for cash-on-cash return (reoccurring) but struggling a bit here. 

I have been doing the driving for dollars method, sending out letters every week to new and reoccurring properties.  

For example, if you have a duplex and estimate it is going to earn $1,200 a month ( at $600 for each unit) You can never really assume you will make $1,200 a month because the leases will not be synced and you could see a reoccurring vacancy.

They provide financial literacy through classes as well as reoccurring support for customers/students.

@Kerry Baird, Is this meetup re-occurring?

The desk fee is a reoccurring monthly fee.