They do a great job with basic questions but their knowledge, at times, can be limited.

Different ones require you to go to the decking, others do not.Personally I'd always suggest to take things down to the decking. 

This is the most basic level of protection and it is not very effective, but it is still better than nothing.

At the very least, I still need to do my basic LLC for my business even if I don't place properties in there yet correct?

In most states the seller is required to disclose any material defects they are aware of.

Thus since in both cases you as a short-term landlord are merely providing basic services to your short-term guests (and receiving passive income in return), I would think this meets the requirements for Schedule E and I would think that you can report the income on Schedule E even if you don't own the property, thus avoiding the 15.3% self-employment tax?

Collect a security deposit when the lease is signed and require payment of the first month's rent at move-in.

She is now looking to sell, but her daughter lives in the home and basically told her mother that in order to get her out, she would need to evict her.

Saw this and it kind of concerns me that basically im on the hook for any stupid thing they do.

This is still a very tricky area for lenders as there are not many "industry-standard" tried and true rules - many DSCR Lenders and buyers of these loans are still wary of the SRO model - that being said, it is a lot easier and more flexible to underwrite on an acquisition if you are buying and the property could be utilized as a LTR / MTR or STR as that allows for a more tailored projection (as long as the property doesn't have unique or altered characteristics that would require it to be a SRO / MTR)