First, I want to address the question of rental arbitrage vs. buy and hold STRs:In my experience buying the real estate (even if it results in fewer units) is almost always better than rental arbitrage.

In other words, fewer lawsuits but harder ones.Multifamily - Many of the issues you mention vary widely depending on the state where you do business

I have been fully consumed in all the BP podcasts and it pushed me to turn my primary residence in Wilmington into a long term rental. 

I know most lenders have 6-month seasoning requirements, but there are a few that can do cash outs at 3 months and even fewer that can do it instantly. 

Do you have to be a licensed agent to be appointed with MSI or can consumers get quotes and bind?

If it's consumer debt, that's one thing, but if it's debt on your rentals, that shouldn't matter (or at least as much). 

You need the fireblocking of sheetrock, drywall, plasterboard, gypsum wallboard, call it what you will.A more time-consuming way of doing this is to install 2x4 blocking between studs at the level of the cabinet backstrips or mounting rails.

You also need to stock the house with consumables such as coffee, towels, dish soap and body wash and shampoo etc.  

Because the consumers are using the same exact #'s for there actions right, $2k per month in "affordability" is still $2k per month.

Quote from @Saab Saab: How do I find wholesalers to make deals  If you know how to sift through the garage to find good deals then wholesalers are the way to go but in the beginning it's VERY time consuming.