True, converting a personal Schedule E to a partnership will indeed reduce your IRS audit chances, statistically speaking.

Personally, I would hold onto the home a bit longer.

If you have a chunk of money to get going I'd personally buy the biggest thing you can if you don't I think house hacking into a 4 plex is great. 

Awesome to see a new investor-minded person here.. do you have a favorite real estate success story already?

I've sold over 80 homes personally in the last 30 months and I'm usually within $5k of the appraisal report when I run my CMA for clients.

That depends on a lot of personal factors such as your finances.

I personally use Hostfully and their support team is great!

We purchased an RV last year under our personal names that is primarily used for business travel.

During the slow season, do you personally focus on getting more rentals, focus more on family/personal life, or do you do something else?

I spend roughly $120k on my renovations, but this is for the entire property and developing the secondary suite which certainly costs more (2 new furnaces, all new plumbing, new kitchens and bathrooms with tiled floors and showers).All said and done, I personally love it.