.- Help with figuring out the best strategy of deciding the right business entities and structure for our rental investments - LLC, S corp, both equal partners, both with different % share, me as an employee?

I haven't really done job-hopping in my career, so I don't have that much experience and expectations from an HR standpoint.Also, I contacted some of the employees via LinkedIn, and after speaking to them, I am very excited to work for them as it seems a lot of my values and wants are checked off.

I did 3 1031 exchanges for my California properties last year and used @Dave Foster and his team. 

It has to be for an actual business use (like you're actually hosting employees for an event, or something business necessary) and you can deduct fair market value for the space.  

You may notice there isn’t much talk of employees...I hope that helps.

Also, it makes training a new employee so much easier. 

Former Zillow employee here. 

Employees take time, even if independent contractors.I think your purchase was awesome. 

The management company I use for my long term rentals has several employees that get their degree from Stout in Property Management and routinely hire part time help that are working towards that degree.  

When I invested in my first property I was not a W2 employee so I purchased with cash ($32,500).