I was thinking that if I buy this house that I would screen the entire neighbors yard using an Arborvitae type shrub so there is a natural wall between the properties and the tenant won't have to see his mess.

While an LLC can lend money to its members, such action must be approved as set forth in the operating agreement and should be documented by a written note that pays adequate interest and is subject to commercially reasonable terms.These steps will also provide a better defense against other creditors attempting to pierce the LLC veil. 

So I naturally asked him who gave him the lead.

My two management companies are not awesome, but adequate.

But I must have had a natural bent for it as I did extremely well very quickly.

They can put together things that work well, show you pictures and maybe even draw you a picture.Visualization is a skill and not necessarily a natural talent.

I want to prevent them from doing this to another landlord and make it difficult for them to buy a house or anything of that nature.

Homes are naturally big so the sq footage adds up. 

Apartments- New kitchen layout, moved laundry into each unit, updated bathrooms, new windows (curb appeal), updated paint and flooring, turned the laundry room into the 12 unit.AirBNB- changed usage on the main level from office to 2 unit AirBNB.Office building- removed drop ceilings to add 3 foot ceiling height to make the space seem larger with more natural light.

I see heightened risks with STRs (increased regulation, additional taxes, far more sensitive to recessions and natural disasters), but I guess that's part of the reason you're seeing good returns.I don't know what selling platforms exist for STRs.