My loan officer agreed that providing a lease agreement before closing will help, but I also need to provide a solid reason for why we are downsizing to this extent.What reasons can I give for making such a significant downsize?

The HOA of some buildings who did not have the "lodge or hotels" stopped allowing Airbnb.Commercial: it's a different beast, if you refer to warehouse, office or retail (and not multifamily).

I just found out last night that he's out of the office for a while (there was a death in his family) and he never said anything to me about it or set it up so that his office manager can get me the things I need and I have no idea who he has working on the rehab. 

But each bank/loan program has their own requirements so you should also double check with whatever loan officer is submitting her application.

I've not looked at what I could get for rent ahead of time, like you have, but it's a large apartment with 1 bedroom, 2 other rooms (office plus bonus room, etc) plus a brand new open concept kitchen, with its own separate entrance and garage access. 

I had a CPA tell me that I could write off my meal on the way to the 1099 job from my office job and also the mileage.

I went into my accountant's office about 10 years ago and set it all up with her.

I have invested in or funded (equity & debt) thousands of units in dozens of states with or on behalf of a variety of domestic and non-U.S. private equity funds, family offices, and institutional investors, and also co-founded / operated several businesses.

Frame and finish a L shaped wall in the current recreation room wall approx 7' long x ~18" deep.B.Remove door to "office" and open wall to frame out closet, or just close off.C.Remove wall separating bedroom and office (wall is ~7.9 long)D, F, G Close off 3 interior doorsE.

For example, we converted an office structure into a duplex, which forced appreciation and positive cash flow.