If you have a lot of family in OK, that can be a great place to start assessing since you have dedicated boots on the ground, as well as a reason to visit.Don't overthink the analyzing of markets when you are still figuring things out.

Ask questions to find out about their reasons for selling, desired next steps (i.e. relocation, 1031 exchange, etc.), and anything else that is important to them.Ask follow-up questions to dig deeper and learn more (without being too intrusive) then jot down any relevant notes so that you can reference them down the line during your follow-up calls.

Unfortunately, this problem waste a lot of my time that could be spent on other investments.I have used the same tax professional for many years and he is very educated, but also much older than me and it's hard for me to understand all the reasons he has expressed why is better to put the rental on my personal tax returns.

I don’t know what the costs would be to “scale” from the volume you do now to a volume you’re targeting, but it’s probably a reasonable investment.  

Welcome @Andrae S WigginsThere are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent. 

(aside from the 1 or 2 homes that have stunning overlook views).When building out your buy box, are you all using the averages, or are you basing your min/max on the cream of the crop listing revenues, even when there aren't clear reasons as to why they are performing so much better than others?

Is there some reason the early bird pricing went up without a deadline and without warning?

Fees were reasonable.

what is the reason they are behind?

To determine what to offer on a rental property:Determine reasonable market rent, NOT the highest!