More info here (in particular the PDF link to all transfer tax exemptions available): https://www.acgov.org/auditor/...

You don't need a coach but if you're looking for someone, go to your auditor's site and find the owner of multiple buildings and ask them for help!

The auditor is stating that it is my responsibility, as STR owner, to pay tax on the service fee that VRBO charges guests. 

There's a lot of misconceptions about the benefits of LLC's because people don't take the time to research with credible sources.To lower your chances of an IRS audit or to improve your chances of surviving one, you should have separate accounts for business vs personal income & expenses.An LLC can be a great way to do this. 

Usually starting with a subscription database, like the MLS, realist, auditor database query and supplemented with internet research and personal interviews.Now, if there are truly no sales, then you need to have the valuation skills to use outside data for sales analysis, income analysis, and/or depreciated cost analysis.

During some sort of audit or perhaps if you need to show your partners or investors the money trail, you wouldn't have to open up your personal books. 

My gut says it would be very difficult to claim the material participation and hours needed (and have them hold up in an audit or tax court) when you are both out of state and a full-time working professional. 

@Dracy CampbellResidential 1-3 units is taxed around 2.18% of the auditor assessed value while 4+ units is taxed around 2.78% of the auditor assessed value.

You can estimate those amounts by using the Franklin County Auditors page, looking up the property, then clicking on "quick links" in lower left hand column, and calculating taxes based on a future value.Best of luck!

When I use the Hamilton County Auditor's site to recalculate property tax, it tells me that the taxes are going to go from the current $66,000 to $126,000.