PAYMENT DISBURSEMENTS - Incoming rents would come into a general rent account, replenish the maintenance fund for any expenses incurred through the month, take the PM fee, and then disburse the rest into the owners account.

Income tax: A foreign investor receiving rental income from U.S. real property must pay income tax.

In a situation like that I think you are doing the correct thing in billing back the tenant because the utility is based on usage and not a flat fee that you can bake into the rent price.

I sell STRs on the Emerald and Forgotten Coasts of Florida, and my company teaches investors how to self-manage their STRs and keep that 20%+ property management fee in their OWN pocket. 

When someone is approved to rent a property, they have to pay a "holding fee." 

Should I still house hack to avoid the capital gains taxes?

Please keep in mind for tax purposes LLC are passthrough by default.

Every $100k in gain up to the limits, $250k (if single) or $500k (if married) will save you $15k in federal taxes and I’m guessing $5-10k in state taxes?  

Had one the other day immediately start badgering me over application fees and having to provide references.

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).