As a result of my growth I got started with quickbooks as I wanted to track everything correctly and use their invoicing feature to bill my tenants and receive rent electronically.

Fortunately, the Mortgage Professor website is a great source of information.  

People are always your best source of access and information:  People like to be helpful and will often hold open {secure} doors for you, give you access to networks, tell you where someone's office is, etc.  

A friend of mine that I work with is the one who originally turned me on to REI as a source of extra income, and earlier this year I bought my first duplex with an FHA loan.

I love getting input from many sources (as opposed to someone who just "yes-es" me to make me happy.

Is there a list source for REO properties without having to work with Realtors or tracking down asset managers?

The investor's liquid assets will need to seasoned and sourced for at least 2 months.

You have already received multiple responses as to why that is not realistic in the real world - UNLESS you have this secret source of cash Buyers that WILL pay more than the general market!

Also, the goal is to identify source areas of mold growth (in walls, under canbinetry, in the HVAC, etc).

Find another source for your refi.