It was around 45 days out from the end of the lease term (June 30th) for my tenants per the lease they signed and I physically had to ask the status of my tenants receiving a lease renewal and not one, but two property managers have no idea if my tenants had been sent a lease renewal nor did the property managers make any attempt to reach out to me to check in and see what I wanted to do as the landlord with a lease renewal.

I charge the guest $225. 

As others stated, we could look at being able to have real estate professional status, but with W2 income it would be hard to justify that for yourself. 

The first agent may have procuring cause status, which might entitle the first agent to payment, in addition to the new agent.Why does the original poster want to dump the first agent? 

My partner and I bought a home in our personal names and operate our guest house as a STR.

We found in our research that even at the increased price-point, a mountain view is worth its weight in gold.

Out of state "tired landlords" of SFH /or Failed MLS status that are vacant and non-owner occupied).

Whenever they brought on a guest who was crushing it, the common denominator was always the idea of mentorship.

I know most residential lenders won't lend to an LLC so my question is should I just house hack the way anyone else would, using my own personal financial status and name, my own funds for the downpayment, and put the multifamily entity and principles aside for now.

And most of the damages a guest will do can be covered by these str booking sites insurance.Your budget will prevent you from buying homes in some of these big cities or vacatation areas with tons of str's.