Develop your standards but understand WHY those standards exist and WHEN or HOW you can deviate from them.If you hire an assistant, the simplest method I've found is to screen with a scoring sheet.

I know the simplest answer is hire a great Realtor but I am looking for creative ways of leveraging mostly unskilled labor to drive costs down.

This thread has cost you 10 times the amount of time than just doing the simplest and right thing.

The simplest rule I will suggest is to "Earn more but spend less".

But operationally the LLC is a liability protection tool.Your best and simplest bet is to follow . through on your idea to 1031 but don't just buy one property. 

When you say, "trying to cook something up", what are you trying to use as your ingredients? 

The simplest would be to add on to the existing home to create an ADU.

It seems the simplest solution is self-sustained units rather than running utilities from the main house.

@Christa Kirby, There are a few options.Google:  The simplest solution is googling for market trends. 

Gaining specialized knowledge, and taking action are mandatory ingredients to being successful.