Based on 1. above determine the maximum amount your willing to pay to avoid a lawsuit and the realistic “target” amount you’d want to pay given what you learned from the attorney consultation3.

A straight LLC will be far easier to get a loan or open a bank account, but doesn't provide the other benefits of a Land Trust.  

I would also prepare to sell it on the used marketplace but if you absolutely don’t want to go that route then I would recommend getting it included in the purchase upfront (but still use it as a bargaining chip first).3) marketing: the best target audience is going to be a savvy house-hacker for a property this style.  

There’s no shortcut.Hire the highest quality photographer you can, and make sure they capture the “money” shots showing what is most appealing to your target guest demographic.You mentioned that you are not looking for advice on pricing, but the questions were about pricing.

It's easier to pay the buyer and let them deal with it.

Much easier to put your cash in a different investment vehicle with less risk.

is it better to go with the low pile carpet since it's easier to clean? 

My biggest advice is to start investing where you have a good network of people you know like and trust...this especially holds true if you will be investing out of state.While it's not impossible to go straight to the commerical I personally found it easier to start in the residential world and then make my way over to commerical multi-family. 

In the Tahoe area, some HOAs have a high percentage of STRs, making it easier to invest in those complexes.

Basically, the higher the ROI you want, the more riskier properties you'll be forced to target.