It is fairly rough, but in line with what you are describing above.

I pay 1.5% of the outstanding balance on my heloc but I'm fairly certain 1% is common as well. 

I am a fairly well trained salesman that does not want to make that a full time job. 

I’ve bought properties from auction.com where no access was allowed, this was apparent from the beginning, fairly common.

How do I ensure the most seamless transition to the new company?

There could also be a fair housing aspect.

My biggest concern is that sweeping reform (which feels imminent) would take me from cash-flow positive to in-the-hole fairly quickly.

Atlanta for me because the multifamily inventory and valuations are attractive.I love Richmond but it's a fairly small city.

I know my local market fairly well, and the SFH are renting for $1100 on average on my street.

In Chicago as I understand (chip in Chicagoites if I have it wrong) it you can get in trouble for even having the payments in the same account, and can get hit for fairly large damages even just refunding out of the same checking account or not paying an interest payment out of a separate account.