With this being my first rental, I guess I don't totally have a clear clear plan.

Great books to getting started! 

I need to confirm with the lender but assume any such "partial" payments would have to be substantial and equal to at least 10-20% or more of the total loan?

My partners and I have just started looking into this.

Total rehab.

@Jerry WesthoffSome of the larger hard money lenders may be able to fund this for you, if not a private / smaller hard money lender probably would look at it if the arv made senseI would start with larger companies

5) If any of you reading this were starting out and trying to start a wholesaling business, what would be some steps you would take in completing your first deal?

However, we also want to make sure we start off strong with a seasoned PM and then possibly take over in a year (but reviews may not transfer?).  

Where can you make connections quicker, in order to start seeing deals sooner?

It is definitely a big jump start to a promising career.