I'm wondering what's everyone doing to minimize this double cost...

I don't want to waste my time learning a new town just for 6 properties).

From what I have heard, a Series LLC has questionable asset protection vs a normal LLC, but I'm not sure you are understanding  Series LLCs how series LLCs work based on your description of the structure.All of these could be set up to minimize tax in the same way so that priority could be ignored.Do you really need the asset protection?   

Therefore a seller wants to minimize risk by prudently selecting a buyer.

Wasted a lot of time and about $1200. in actual cash.

.; 3) and that I shouldn't waste my time and energy on worrying about an "issue" as small as this (that is to say, worrying and spending time after the fact, after the work has been done).

The Panhandle strives on STR, so the risk of rules and regulations against it is very minimal vs a city that has industry also. ( Atlanta, LA, etc) Best of luck to you!

The debt-less advocation crowd does not mention;  you are minimizing wealth accumulation since you have very few doors (debt free). 

Remember RE is a long term play so if you take minimal losses short term to get exponential return long term then that's a good bet.

Personally, I keep rents just under market to minimize vacancy, but if your interest from qualified (important that you distinguish qualified applicants from random people responding with a click to your post) renters is more than three in the first week, your price is probably too low and you should just raise it and check if the applicants are okay with it.