Not all jurisdictions treat tiny homes/cottages the same (i.e. treated like MHP vs a planned cottage layout).

I have seen some on the internet, but are being offered by real estate gurus....

If they do not wish to pay the additional cost for a larger system I still try to layout the system design in a way to be able to easily expand in the future.Since soils take a very long time to develop, it is typically changes in soil classifications in the regulations that will be of concern.

I just feel like the more I research on BP forum and on the internet, the more I am getting confused.

So far I've picked or helped pick the paint colors inside and out, cabinet hardware, half bath layout, granite, laundry layout, and we're going to pick flooring and appliances together this week.  

No, unfortunately a lot of this is just not accurate.From the point of view of a passive investor in the deal: real estate crowdfunding is essentially the same thing as a syndication...except it's usually done over the Internet.

@Will Lotherington You will also have to pay for all utilities, add internet, cable or satellite (to do it right).You'll need to furnish it with good to nice furniture, provide consumables, sheets, towels, cookware etc.You will need to replace items as they wear out.You will need to clean the place after each stay or coordinate and pay someone else to do it.I think these cost will eat into or eliminate any potential profit over what a Long Term rental would bring in with much less effort.

Have done an extremely extensive full gut remodel (practically brand new home, literally everything updated/repaired from foundation, roof, windows, all exterior work, LVL beams to demo load bearing walls and create open layout, med to high end bathroom/kitchen renovations (master shower is floor to ceiling tiled in w/ double rain shower and ADA compliant, granite countertops, 6-8 person island, all new stainless appliances), all new electrical wiring, plumbing, etc., solid core doors, widened old 22' door openings to 24', new laminate wood flooring throughout, 5/8' baseboards/trim throughout, tankless water heater, tape/bed/texture/new paint on all new drywall), etc.I'd love to hold onto the property as I have no compelling event forcing a sale. 

They'll lay out each potential repair or damage to the house in a line by line basis (ours did at least) which we were then able to send directly to the seller to let him know which pieces would ABSOLUTELY need to be fixed before we continued in the deal. 

Someone is told that they specifically can't refinance out of FHA, and the next day they're on the internet blogging about how "you" can't refinance out of an FHA loan.I'd suggest finding a local lender that'll plan this out with you using realistic assumptions that are particular to you, your financial picture, and your area.