They will also refer you to a mortgage broker that would be able to assist you in your purchase. 

Thank you Here's an earlier thread (in which I referred to another thread) where I made the (unproven) point: Once you've used up your VA Loan limit - you can't have that VA loan limit reinstated purely by refinancing out of those loans - you would need to start SELLING first:- https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/61/topics/403...

What I ask is: experience level, crew size, access to subs, tools and references. 

What you are referring to is people who represent that they intend to live in the house, when in fact they have no such intention.

are you referring to the lender's title policy or actual homeowners insurance?

When clients ask questions about quality of schools, local demographics, and neighborhood safety, I refer them to reliable third-party public information sources rather than give my own judgment or opinion.

Assuming it's the 2nd option & referring to your Q 5 (b): lender should not be loosing any money on your deals unless they are foreclosing on your flip and obviously they will never lend to you again. 

Plenty of references. 

Some states/cities allow you to be a contractor by simply paying a fee and filling out paperwork, other cities require you to take an exam and provide references.  

All of these options are much cheaper than what was formerly referred to as Summary Appraisals of Self-Contained Appraisals.