- just touching base" are not going to suffice.

What makes it more frustrating is the entire block and 3 surrounding blocks are duplexes and triplexes and only 2 lots actually have 4 car garages, some with three like mine and some with even just one.I think there is a chance the city could reconsider on 4 garages total with the right architect and plan and could accept a 3 car garage to suffice for the 2 units, but I really don't like that I would have to spend money for an architect and pay for the time of the city's planner just to find out this is even possible or not to begin with. 

Like @John Underwood, with only one property, just using the apps provided should suffice.

@Nick CrosbyThere are several considerations that can go into the analysis of whether you need an LLC or whether a large insurance policy will suffice.

Good information to know...thank you for that...so an LOE would suffice most large deposits or just Gifted funds...and do the gift funds need to come from a relative ...

However I won't buy bottom of the barrel stuff, and I think (based mainly off my own airbnb stays where I just used the unit to sleep in) online purchase will suffice. 

Likely one permit for the entire project will suffice but I want to be careful not to trigger a zoning change by adding a 3rd unit onto the property.

I personally would be asking for a proof of funds (only a bank statement with their name or in the name of THEIR business will suffice, no loan approval letters, etc).

If you don't want to spend the money LionDesk I found to suffice more than most others I tried. 

It looks like a duplex might be my best option with the self-sufficency test.