You might be thinking the LLC would offer you more liability protection when set up that way, but whether you own the property and rent to the LLC or the LLC owns it and you are the sole-proprietor of the LLC in its operating agreement will probably be the same in terms of ability for claimants to find you.

Any advice on this front would be invaluable.I truly value the insights and expertise shared within the BiggerPockets community, and I'm grateful for any guidance or recommendations you can offer as I embark on this new venture.Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Look into trade programs offered by high-end furniture and home decor retailers, Consider commercial-grade furniture which is designed to withstand heavy use. 

Going from 1 to 2 is hard legally in most towns and doing kitchens and baths in basements are near impossible.

I would love to discuss this further and offer guidance!

Depends on your local rules and regulations, but in the state of Virginia such a practice is perfectly lawful.PS: Do not take model legal language and incorporate it into your contract unless such language comes from an attorney. 

Has anyone offered furnished rentals for college students?

Which is a bit like saying they will let the sun rise in east, because there is no legal ability to stop that given contract law. 

While I'm not yet familiar with the neighborhoods in Columbus, I'm specifically looking for a small multi-family rental property that will offer long-term appreciation potential.

Also if this is a good strategy do DSTs offer this type of investment and if so any recommendations.