@Chris Seveney's suggestion could be a really good solution depending on the numbers. 

Hi Aidan, when you first started you can create your partnership agreement per deal depending on what your end goal is for the property. 

However, it depends on an investor's goals as to whether or not Huntsville is a market they should be looking at. 

I agree with @Aaron Zimmerman—setting up your chart of accounts to align with Schedule E/1040 or 1065, depending on your type of entity, will again take some of the heavy lifting come tax time.

If really depends on your goals.

There are best practices on certain items that provides a guidelines.Commissions are always negotiable like any other services, you can shop around for the best value for money.All depends on the risks that you are willing to take.

The $ is just how score is kept of how your doing at it. 

@Matthew Strack It would depend on your goals and comfort level.

You should have a good idea of every expense you have in your primary home, then add the STR specific:  (These are rough estimate numbers, depending on various factors)STR insurance - a special insurance that covers both the property and your liability, could be $2~4k in areas without natural disasters, could be more than $10k in some other areas.cleaning fee - approx. $50 per bedroom, so a 4-bedroom house will cost you about $150~200consumables - bathroom supplies, kitchen supplies, beverage supplies: $20~30 per week, depending on how much you providewear and tear - towels, linen, kitchen utensils, some furniture: $1000~2000 per yearRepairs/replacement for things that guests break or steal:  $1000~2000 per yearAlso, if your personal use is less than 14 days a year, the entire property's expense is deductible against STR income, but if you use more than 14 days, then you will have to calculate the proportion of how many days it's rented out vs how many days you or your family uses. 

@Diana Mulvihill A lot will depend on your local market and competition.