I would like to make offers and then scramble to try to find a partner or lender to back the deal...Then if an offer is accepted, I can go back and find the funding.  

After they finish one project, they typically scramble to find another deal.

Last May, I had to scramble for cash to close a deal -- borrowed against myself but at a variable rate -- and would really like to convert to a long-term conventional fixed-rate with enough cash to pay off the variable rate balances.  

Then you have another scramble.

I had thought they were going to be here until July 1st, so I'm scrambling a little to get renovations going as soon as possible.

My experience with 1031's is buyers screw around too much at the beginning and then scramble at the end.They do not work early and diligent enough in the process to have realistic expectations of how things work.They have not bought in so long and so they have a fairy tale idea of what property they can find for XX return.

It was quite a scramble to get all the data, but I had another hour before the post office closed

One benefit to having the CPA do your taxes is that if there is an audit and discrepancies show up they can pull together all that is required without needing to scramble to do so because they will understand what is necessary.  

I also found out, two days ago, that the property is being scheduled for auction on the last day of this month, and now the very incompetent listing agent is scrambling to get things done.

I would try and setup all bank accounts, entities (LLC, etc, if you're going that route) property management/accounting software, etc. before you rent it out, so you aren't scrambling to get everything organized.