LLC makes it simple, but the S Corp has some tax savings.  

Think of it as a simple rate of return. 

Is the process of switching zoning to multi-family a fairly simple one?

It was for simple math . 

The ultimate questions are around loan relative to home value and creditworthiness of the borrower (for simple cases; obviously things could differ).  

Tried to make it simple income and expense.

The first method is often preferred because it is simple, it is clean and easy to explain should you get audited, etc. 

When you start inesting keep it simple and do what is average in that neighberhood.Good luck to you!

Yes... a simple text immediately after a discussion with a buyers agent about my home (AKA your listing...for now) would go a long want towards meeting that goal of "5 Star Communicator".Turns out that bad communication is apparently #1 problem people have with their agents.  

Enter what I call "The Reversal Theory" put simply, it's the belief that with a simple mental shift you can overcome- or at least better handle- the anxiety that comes along with speaking to sellers (this could be applied to buyers and lenders but I want to focus on sellers now).