My question is, (and before the scolding comes from doing business w/ friends), if his name is on the loan, and we are not forming a legal entity, would the easiest way to go about this be putting both of our names on title?

But if you are wanting to finance the purchase traditionally some of those methods may not be an option for you. 

So the tax advantage by listing it in one section as opposed to another here is the same but now the method by which you qualify for a loan is at risk.

After looking at the Nebraska SOS website it looks like there might be a charge to see these documents for each company, so you might have to scrap this method. 

((Backstory))My marketing method so far has been through mail.

@Wendy Vaidic  I have heard of that method and have heard good things about that as well.

How far away might I be from reaching this point with real estate investing, using more passive methods which currently appeal to me, and thus, being able to replace my income and essentially switch jobs?

I have never had an issue with others staying in the property past the move out by using this method.

In addition to the strategies mentioned above there is also another method, which as an out of state investor I have come to favor for my buy and hold strategy in the last year and half.  

If you are worried about appreciation, chose a method of investing that injects appreciation with rehab, or if you are worried about appreciation dropping and rents are holding steady and you have cash flow then you are good.