Like you said, every time you visit family, you can check in on the properties and now the trip is a tax write off (consult your CPA). 

Did anyone in one of the accounts die?

Rents may be high, but where are taxes and insurance.

If you are able to setup a credit card identical to your accounts payable accrual account, it should operate the same.  

There are also additional costs of operating and maintaining an LLC, like separate bank accounts, annual report filings, tax filings, etc.2.

Maybe self-accountability does matter. 

You also need to account for the eviction process, state laws etc...

Also 4th quarter of last year Packwood and county officially did discuss potentially regulating STR's by either limiting numbers or adding a tax to cover increases in local services that are needed. 

Do you see why we accountants say "likely" and "possibly" in every paragraph we write?

Zero capital gain tax, next to zero income tax, property Tax is super small.