With $500k I recommend a multifamily in an area where zoning an ordinances for running vacation rentals is permissible -- Miami Beach as a City leans on the side of the hotel industry most of the time and imposes fines for un-approved operators of vacation rentals.

Even after those things your employer has to “open it up” and approve it for their employees.

I have been behind the scenes for years and ready to take action..I own a 60x80 lot that is mobile home friendly in an semi rural area..I have been approved for a 50k line of credit (interest only) 15 years.

This is not wasting their time since you have a property under contract and if the costs are more than you anticipate you have a bid from a contractor to go back to the seller to renegotiate.Question#2 - it's always a good idea to get a Pre-Approval before you start looking for a property. 

You may need to get specific approval from the board. 

You can learn a lot by watching what the state and local governments are doing and approving in the form of infrastructure.

We are pre-approved and we are now shopping around.

@Charlie Chres that is a slippery slope your tenant is asking for a right to approve your current and future tenants.

Would it be easier to get approved with a duplex (2-3 br + studio) over the ADU scenario? 

Should I try to get pre-approved?