Your question makes me want to check my state rules (Illinois), because I've thought many times that I might as well manage other people's STRs if I have all the processes set up to manage mine anyway.Finding a cleaning crew for 1 STR is difficult, but 5 is easy. 

In a recent post about how to minimize the taxes on rental income it was mentioned that: Setting aside reserves is an expense, so long as they are not excessive.

Your CAP rate will be dangerously inaccurate if you calculate expenses incorrectly so let's break those down.Utility Set-up- As an overview you need to know the difference  between city-provided utilities and onsite such as Septic Tanks with Leech fields, lagoons, Wells, EtcGetting more specific what utilities are maintained by the community, paid by the community vs the tenants.I will give you a quick example, I own a park with a bunch of multifamily manufactured units of which I pay the electricity bill.

Do I need to set up an LLC?

Each has its own set of considerations and potential benefits, so it's crucial to understand them thoroughly before diving in. 

If you want to buy 300k duplex and want to have class A tenants in fairmount, well you're out of luck and need to adjust your purchase price standards.

There is no set answer. 

I have used a basic registered agent service and set up an LLC.

You can also set up online payments.

It's not clear to me how setting up some new platform to get those who are "spinning their wheels" is going to improve their situation.