I am sure some will do it with phone and e mail etc.. but I suspect they miss the best deals.Just like top wholesalers they have buying agents when a lead comes in that buying agent is over to the house and meeting with the folks ASAP so they can lock it up.. if they are non owner occ then yes this is different but now your talking about investors as sellers different mind set .  

Because in vast majority of cases these same tenant applicants a few missed paychecks away from bankruptcy; are working only 1 job.

It might help if you know what might be missing from those statements.

Can I purchase the rods and charge back to tenant as missing/damaged window treatments when originals were blinds?

You forgot to say, or I missed it, how much you paid for the property.

It kills 2 birds with 1 stone in the sense that it offers me evidence that the property is cleaned and everything is in place before guests arrive and watching video after guest departs helps me make sure everything is there, and nothing is missing / damaged from last group.

Another question is… Which option would be better to cover the missing mortgage payments: a HELOC or forbearance?

The only thing that I see missing if they are purchasing with hard money debt they may want to factor in 3% - 5% for closing costs (points, fees, title, etc) Thx Zachary!

Q1 distribution is missing again.

It sounds like you are missing a conversation with the tenant to understand the situation.