VRBO may potentially ping you for not responding to all inquiries.

I've never done any Sacramento STR loans and only been hit up for one potential financing opportunity there.

They’re requesting what feels like an unreasonable amount of information, and the demands keep escalating.So far, they’ve asked for:A video tour of my home officeCredit checks on me and my partnerCopies of the deeds for every property we ownA copy of my partner’s home lease and utility billsBusiness phone billsA signed letter from the bank verifying our accountsBank statementsHonestly, it feels more like qualifying for a loan than trying to become a customer.

They go on Zillow or Redfin and just look for properties that meet the criteria, put them on spreadsheet, analyze the potential deal, pick up the phone and call listing agents.

We could build larger, but there will be less Buyers and the home can potentially sit for longer and holding costs get expensive.Not saying building larger is wrong, but just giving you our reasoning for our home size.But I do 100% agree with you. 

Quote from @Jeff Roth:Monthly rents for mid-term rentals are about 20% (+/-) higher than unfurnished similar long-term rentals.I would not base the income potential for a MTR on a rule of thumb.

How can we best protect ourselves from potential retaliation and property damage?

As you said, this allows you to track LLCs (locations) and properties (classes and/or customers).

There's so much growth potential in Columbus Ohio and the best way I can characterize this market is it provides good positive cash flow but amazing appreciation potential.

What's the condition, what's rent potential, is it in appreciating or depreciating area?