I held a private deed of trust (5 years, balloon payment) in a friendly transaction but it was all properly recorded, etc..

Yes get different accounts because it makes tracking and recording of your business transactions easier  and also keeping your personal finances within your budget if you track it.

There is no better indicator of value then what someone is willing to pay in an arms length transaction.

A higher appraisal doesn’t help you get a larger loan.2) the appraisal is good for Only this purchase transaction, not for later refi’s.

Also, I’ve always used one major bank for all my real estate transactions because they’ve consistently had better rates than others but this was for primary/secondary homes – are there Banks out there that are known for lower rates for investment properties?

I'll pm you with a couple of referrals for accountants with cross borer experience that you can speak with.

Keep everything legal and above board (All T's are crossed and all I's are dotted) 2.

I am looking for an investor friendly attorney who's very knowledgeable about dealing with wholesale transactions.

It's in the negotiations and bullet-proofing the transaction, that they really get to know my worth in most instances.  

I'm wondering what happens when you get n offer accepted and go under contract but cant secure financing with a HML. I am not in this position but just wondering what happens. In a normal sale with a lender the P&...