At present, with what I have been shown, is a rent roll that has no names and just a list of the addresses of the proprietors that add up to $2,850 a month.  

Lisa you are a sole proprietor, not only can you write off your office space , some of electricity, part of your mortgage, your trips to the rentals, maint.

if you have an LLC set up as a sole proprietorship with your own social security number attached to it, does it still protect you? 

The remaining 40% is the combination of other labor income (benefits), proprietor's income (farm and non-farm), interest and dividend income, rental income, and transfer payments.

Heidi is the proprietor of a bar in Detroit .

I know it would generally be in my best interest to get it contracted up myself--but I was thinking to let him negotiate their price and give me just a commission on the first few ones so I can hear how it's done.Should I open up an LLC or is acting as a sole-proprietor better?

Regular income tax applies.2) The specifics of tax amelioration are dependent on your circumstances, but sole proprietor is generally the weakest and worst position to be in from a legal standpoint and from a tax standpoint.

Long answer: Assuming you already have some properties and are currently acting as a sole proprietor, you are probably looking for simplicity and low cost, making the default status a Disregarded Entity or pass-through taxation your best option.

Sole proprietors and single member LLCs (not elected as s-corps) pay more to THE MAN aka Uncle Sam.

Are there any significant differences between a LLC taxed as a proprietor vs a LLC taxed as a S-corp?