No Employees in the c-corp, just officers.What should be the simplest entity structure?

Look, I am a minimalist, I like simplicity and bring things down to there simplest denominator.

I inherited their services when I purchased a sec8 rental property and initially decided to keep them, assuming it would be the simplest solution.

Probably simplest...

Getting anyone on the phone who knows how to take care of even the simplest issue is challenging enough.

There are stop gaps in place to allow you to do due diligence when buying a property you haven't personally seen. 3rd party inspection, appraisal & video being the simplest.

The truth about an IRA or and SDIRA, and the simplest way to think about them is that you don't own it. 

I think youtube would be the simplest way to do it, and you can send a link to them however they prefer. 

The point of going into real estate is either as a store of value or to make money--you make money primarily through value add--of which the simplest path is rehabs-go with an easy one while you learn the process.  

That to me is the simplest deal structure and the least "risk to you" as you aren't waiting for the final home to complete to be paid, as I understand it most construction loans close on the "dirt" up front....although like everything in real estate its infinitely negotiable and changeable.