If you already have your train tickets, 12 minutes will be more than enough to make your transfer from bus to train.Do you know if the buses fr Magome are pretty on time in Dec (weekday)?
Yes, they are usually on time.
Is the bus station and train station in Nakatsugawa close to each other, and are there many platforms in Nakatsugawa?
Yes, the bus stop is just in front of the station and no, Nakatsugawa is a simple train station with only three parallel tracks.
I hold a JR pass, can I just hop on to the Ltd Exp Shinano or do I need buffer time to buy a ticket?
You can just hop on and hope to find a free seat in the unreserved car. Or you could make a seat reservation for the train in advance or just before boarding (the 12 minute transfer time should be enough for making a seat reservation if there is no line).
Last question, can I book the accomodation in Tsumago a day before or much earlier?
I recommend to book it as early as possible to avoid unpleasant surprises.