Hope our paths cross at a Bigger Pockets event soon! 

In simple language, when seeking approval for a loan, will only my income and credit score (which is excellent by the way) be verified or my household income count?

The 0% down loan limits do not scale up with unit count for VA loans, but lenders often have FHA and VA lumped together as "FHA/VA" in their heads.From VA.gov:VA's 2017 Loan Limits are the same as the Federal Housing Finance Agency's limits - 2017 Loan Limits (Effective January 1, 2017).

In that instance you may be asked to cross collateralize other assets and/or put up more of your own cash. 

I've worked with & for the public for years and have heard more threats of suits than I can count.

Specifically heat and water for a triplex in lower Westchester, NY.Additionally, as I had mentioned before, my idea behind purchasing a duplex rather than a triplex is that my major goal was to constantly have 2 of the 3 units always rented and allow the loss of one unit to count for my annual vacancy rate.

And then, for the purposes of a HELOC, would a property count as 'owner occupied' if my brother was on title (technically an owner), moved into the property, but the loan was in my name.

The only thing I wouldn't be able to count would be me 

I would do my best to keep those tenants long term raise the rent every so often and be sure that the maintenance was done so I could count on this house being a considerable portion of my retirement.

Fingers crossed 🤞🏻