In addition to interest and repairs, you can deduct off a 27 year depreciation on the home. 

-Will it be robust enough to track additional business expenses that are NOT tied to a single property (IE; Business insurance, Home office, ETC?)

Plumbers can separate lines, but trenching and additional work can drive costs into the $5,000 –$10,000 range.

I should add it will be a short term rental property. 

This doesn't replace the need for a MSA that will capture additional clauses needed on a Contractor-SubContractor relationship, this is just a project specific form you would use in addition to the MSA (prepared by your Attorney):This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

If you’re comfortable with a bigger investment, a duplex is good for the benefit of additional cash flow and you could house-hack.

Outdoor storage, moving services, additional parking.

Some carriers won't allow insured to be a trust, so in that case do it in your company name with trust as additional insured.

With the economy of scale in multifamily, each additional unit nets you a little more than the last, as a rule of thumb.

@Cole DobbsIn addition, I may be able to help you and connect you with some key real estate investor players in the Houston, Texas market since I am an Investor myself that have done most of these real estate investing strategies and also an investor-broker who has helped over 400 investors like you.