That might have gone down for a whole host of reasons but it usually decreases when the owner appeals the value based on condition, a recent sale or appraisal, etc.

No, most hosts in the United States avoid them at all costs, due to the lack of host friendliness.

We host a local meetup and our team of investor agents operates in this market. 

It's just a matter of finding them.Other options would be finding a full service co-host and negotiating something with them to take a smaller commission (or salary) to just handle that part of it. 

It sounds like you are doing more than many PM's.Really screen someone that your going to turn over your property to as a lot of co-hosts I've seen are very inexperienced.

When a PMS is used the host becomes the merchant of record for all other sites, so it's our responsibility to make sure payment has been made.   

Finally, some guests are more inclined to give you a 5.0 review, and generally be more reasonable and respectful, if the host name is a person not a company, and the host has a headshot.

Agree with @Jaron Walling - forget what a stranger on the internet that, in my case, lives several states away says and ask questions of the two guys that you know that have 165 combined units in your market. 

The mom and pop landlord that I rented from (by my calculation and internet research) owned about 50 doors and had for a long time.

I would be willing to help - but you know you need a lawyer - taking advice from people on the internet is not a great business decision.