I would be less concerned about the cheapest money and more concerned about decent terms and execution.

If you tell them their credit score is too low (or some other reason) and somehow you obtained information that is inaccurate, then there is the potential to cause a legal problem. 

Given the scope of your work, a simple plumbing leak would not concern me, it's a $200 issue at the most and ideally, it's just another line item when you do rough in plumbing for the kitchen.Being in a Milwaukee suburb, I am guessing it's a 1960s ranch, probably with galvanized plumbing.

Government actions are THE cause of the dysfunction in the real estate market and why so few investors and homeowners are transacting.

However, he asked me to sign a one-year Exclusive Right to Represent agreement, as presented to him by his brokerage.His interpretation is that it applies only when he materially assists me, but I think the boilerplate brokerage language he was given reads much more broadly:"If during the term of this Agreement Buyer enters into a contract for the purchase of Property through the services or efforts of the Broker or Buyer’s Brokerage Firm, or by or through any other persons during the term of this Agreement" (emphasis mine).My concern is that, under my interpretation, if a fellow real estate investor wants to unload a property or if I get pointed to an opportunity by a former agent, colleague, or friend, this agreement could create an obstacle to moving forward with the deal.In the end, I didn’t sign.

Once you get through this process there hasn't been any concerns after that.

These 2 platforms don't focus on MTR but vacation rentals so using Furnished Finder is a better way to get those longer term folks.I have always been a bit concerned about the area's penchant for restrictions.

If I put myself in the shoes of the outside partner/investor friend, I would be very concerned because: 1) unclear and/or potentially conflicting business plan, 2) even with clarity in the BRRRR business plan, unclear in the viability of pulling it off with these market conditions, 3) the chances of dispute seems very high, especially if you're going to live in. 4 years ago, I went through a  similar thought process when purchasing an investing property with mainly my family money, while considering an outside investor to rehab for higher STR ROI... 

Or is your concern about cash flow related to your lender?

As I said earlier, this is strictly for investment purposes.The property does not have to be turnkey, if there is room for improvement that's of no concern as we both have the skill set to invest in whatever upgrades are required.