Unless you caused AT&T to go on strike , tell them no .

Though fee schedules vary by company, generally speaking, you'll pay more up front for checkbook control and less over time, since the full custodial companies will have transaction fees not to mention the red tape of going through the custodian for all transactions. 

My wife and I chose to write down our own rules for both our marital property and our estate, so that it doesn't go to whatever wacky CO law governs distribution of wealth.

I wouldn't say you're going to learn as much going through an online course as you would an in-person one, but it is a lot more convenient. 

Recently came across a lake house which we would like to rent out for weddings and event venues.

Plan to make some tenant improvements to push rents closer to market rate for the area.

You still have to pay your mortgage.

If you put the 300k down on say a $1m multifamily, it's only going to get you a 2-family if you are lucky and rents in the range of about $7,000, again, if you are lucky.

That might be a way to start, finding recently sold land on zillow, back trace agents to sold listings and tell them you might have some land coming up soon and see if they have buyers.

What are our options and what should we expect if we structure our llc prior to looking into lending options?