They should be able to provide you with the most accurate information regarding property tax rates for the specific property you're interested in.

I have been attracted to this area of MI since I started exploring real estate and it seemed to provide an opportunity for us to get in the game with out of state rentals without spending a ton of coin.

@Ahmad Moore Based on the info you provided, a CPA who specializes in real estate would get you the most bang for your buck. 

Selling @ $500kLender providing $490kCan the remaining $10k be carried by seller?

@Melanie Hernandez two questions to ask are: can you effectively and profitably run a STR business giving your guests a wonderful experience and can you provide value to and mitigate risk for your property owner?

Lead Generation & Marketing: Do sponsors provide qualified leads or expect you to generate your own? 

They can provide personalized advice and guidance tailored to your specific situation.

I clean all shared areas of the home, cook occasional meals for guests, lawncare, maintenance, and shop for them (consistently provide milk, bread, basics etc)?

The initial investment is providing a loan, there is no tax write off.Similiarly, there is no income recorded when you receive the loan proceeds back.The only time there may be a potential write-off of the original loan amount is if the borrower is not able to pay it back.

Selling @ $500kLender providing $490kCan the remaining $10k be carried by seller?