So we are consolidating some of our hotel assets into a new corporation.

I ran into this opposition even with a back ground in construction, rentals, and corporate management experience.

The owner of the SMLLC might be you as an individual, another LLC, Corp or trust that does file a tax return.As Cameron pointed out, if you have multiple files the desktop version would be the least expensive route.  

Here's his response:Michigan law defines real estate broker broadlyReal estate broker” means an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, association, corporation, common law trust, or a combination of those entities who with intent to collect or receive a fee, compensation, or valuable consideration, sells or offers for sale, buys or offers to buy, provides or offers to provide market analyses, lists or offers or attempts to list, or negotiates the purchase or sale or exchange or mortgage of real estate, or negotiates for the construction of a building on real estate; who leases or offers or rents or offers for rent real estate or the improvements on the real estate for others, as a whole or partial vocation; who engages in property management as a whole or partial vocation; who sells or offers for sale, buys or offers to buy, leases or offers to lease, or negotiates the purchase or sale or exchange of a business, business opportunity, or the goodwill of an existing business for others; or who, as owner or otherwise, engages in the sale of real estate as a principal vocationMCLS § 339.2501The exemptions are pretty limited:This article does not apply to an individual, partnership, association, or corporation, who as owner or lessor or as attorney-in-fact acting under a duly executed and recorded power of attorney from the owner or lessor, or who has been appointed by a court, performs an act as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson with reference to property owned by it, unless performed as a principal vocation not through a licensed real estate brokerMCLS § 339.2503Essentially, if you are performing these services as a primary part of your occupation, Michigan law requires you to be licensed. 

I am born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Oahu and I joined biggerpockets.com to learn more about real estate investing and I'm determined, open minded and will take action towards proper will to get out corporate America! 

I'm often joke around with my friends and say I'm 100% American, however; I will never discriminate...

You get taxed as ordinary income unless you use an S-corp or an LLC with the s-corp tax designation.

If your investor is operating under an LLC or corporation, it should satisfy the above. 

In this case, I'd suspect that they simply earn so much money that they don't feel compelled to spend it all AND they focus a good amount of time on reducing their largest expense - and the one that many Americans seem to do nothing to prevent - taxes.

Direct contact for Colony American Finance over here!