@John BergstromMany taxpayers are finding themselves taking the standard deduction as that has increased substantially starting in 2018.You may be able to "shift" some of the mortgage interest/ property taxes as a business deduction if you rent a portion of the house as you suggest or use a portion of the house as a home office.

I'd be careful about undercutting other office splits, as the type of agents that sort of plan attracts aren't usually the ones you want...plus they'll jump when a cheaper options comes available.

I like to call it doctor dentist office hacking..

You will ask everybody for business and referrals.Definitely interview Brokers and get a feel for the office.. 

Let your secretary sit in the closing office waiting for that money transfer to get signed over.

I’m using the house as my home base and office space while in Memphis.

The surveyor works in conjunction with the engineer, usually in the same office.

I see many write that you can buy a multi-family, live in it for a year and purchase another multi-family.I can see going from a multi-unit house to single family house but can’t see taking advantage of the second tier entitlement from single to multi family, I know va loan officers and underwriters can be sticklers due to the va loan guidelines, so my question is to any former underwriters/loan officers, what are considered some legit reasons to take advantage of the second tier entitlement and what tangible evidence needs to be provided?

Officer or Enlisted? 

If you are not a licensed entity without a managing broker you cannot: write ads of properties (owners must write ads), you cannot negotiate leases terms with the applicant, you cannot collect rent in office (regardless of whether it is made out to landlord), you cannot operate a trust account, and finally you cannot enter into contracts for services (i.e. hire a plumber, lawn service, trash company) on behalf of the landlord.