Hello, I'm not the best source for design tips, but as a broker/ lender the biggest value adds that you can get on rehab projects come from improvements to the kitchen and bathrooms.

If someone designs it for you they should be able to defend it for you- make sure of that.That's just my thoughts on it - Use an attorney to guide you through complicated setups so you don't make a mistake. 

Honestly, your biggest issue is going to be getting past a potential "rural" designation for a population density that low.

Next they  informed me the soft costs associated with the a design work would not be released until CO…ok I can live with that and when I finally thought I was going to be funded I get an email that the property taxes were delinquent.

I’m looking for a list of suggested products (cabinets, flooring, tile, etc) to rehab the interior.

The GIS map designates it as a single-family dwelling, but the property is clearly set up as two units, with separate HVAC, electrical systems, etc.My main question is: Would it be possible to obtain a permit to legally convert it into a two-unit property?

Since then we've designed and built several homes in the coastal Orange County Area. 

They even have classes and designations you can attain to set yourself apart from other companies.

===BTW if you want a free monthly just SMS transaction costs tool that is dirt basic have a look at:  theautomatedrei.com  it was initially designed to scrape leads off CL / zillow (fsbo) but you can also upload a list then SMS.   

In this day of housing shortages and rising rents, you mentioned you don’t want to deal with all the “Covid19 no eviction garbage,” yet you’re ok creating a facility specifically designed to encourage others to congregate during a pandemic?