For example their REO addendum clearly says EMD is not expected until 2 days after ED (Effective Date) yet my listing agent insisted EMD be wired the day I submitted the verbally accepted offer.

I will insist on the contract that the deposit goes to the buyers and you will accept the same terms but stating they need a month to month lease to vacate with a 60 days notice to you (if stayed=>1 year) and 30 days(<1 year).As for future terms you can hint that you like 1 year lease and will consider something reasonable.

If you had a sharp agent or an attorney on your side, they would have insisted on a home inspection, title search with an insurable title and a financing contingency in any such contract.One thing to look at closely is whether wholesaling is legal in whatever state you're in. 

The turnkey seller said he "has never had anyone request a lead paint inspection" and he didn't want to move forward with the deal if I insisted on one.

She just didn't want to come back and insisted they move there.

It certainly wouldn't fly in most places outside city centers.You should definitely insist that your tenants "register" their cars with you so you can keep track of who's using the lot.

But if the owner insists that they do that rent increase do they not have a contractual obligation to do so?

I see no reason to insist a tenant spend time cleaning cabinets, fixtures, flooring etc. if we are planning to replace much/all of it anyway, and we must clean after contractors are complete anyway.

Again, with determined tenants, you will be looking at a long and expensive fight, even if you can pull it off.Do what you want, but there are plenty of non-rent controlled properties for you to invest in, and if you insist on trying to flip rent controlled properties, get a good lawyer.

If a client suggested to me that we should pay part of their insurance premium or their deductible I would have a conversation with them and if they insisted simply drop them as a client.