I plan to become a little more efficient as far as finding deals and also branching out into rentals.

One important thing to note is that both OneRoofTop and MyVR will sync with whatever calendar you use as your master calendar (such as your calendar on VRBO or other site.)Fast forward a couple of years and now besides recently purchasing our 4th vacation rental property I also manage the marketing & bookings for several other vacation rental properties, and I found myself looking for tools to help maximize the efficiency of my operation.

The term "renovate" means different things to different people.First I'd take a look at the lease and see who is responsible for what.Second, I'd look into doing the "hero" type stuff as a priority....Replacing appliances is a cheap and easy way to look like a hero.Replacing furnace/water heater to something more efficient so she saves on utilities makes you look like a hero.Replacing windows to something more energy friendly so she can save on utilities makes you look like a hero.Cosmetic stuff can be cleaned, but I would encourage the family to get carpets cleaned or to spend the money to get a cleaning crew in there to give the place a good scrubbing - she is more than likely responsible for that in the lease.Paint is easy, but she may not be receptive to painters or to the smell of paint and that may cause some more tension.Good luck!

Would the best (tax efficient and easiest to do) way to file my taxes is add the income from my LLC to my 1040 Schedule E or should we file as a C-Corp or other entity?

@Kenneth Kussman  IT looks to me as though @Brie Schmidt has given you some excellent advice,  She said it a lot more efficiently than I did.  

I truly believe real estate is one of the most efficient ways of reaching FI. 

I've been at this for almost 20 years now and I still do things to learn almost every day as well as constantly trying to find new ways of being able to get a project done start to finish in the most efficient manner (and on budget). 

I can help you access utility funds for rehabbing in a more energy-efficient way.

Look at it as a business and successful businesses are all about process, standards and ever increasing efficiencies.

The best part then is the energy efficient savings.