And they want me to move all my primary banking accounts (checking/savings) to them first before they'll lend.Is this common? 

Account Closed I love to see your enthusiasm and being pro-active.

Paying them separately gives you a few extra months of letting the money sit in an interest bearing account but that's about it. 

You can bypass the custodian by using Checkbook IRA (aka IRA owned LLC), this structure will enable you to have checkbook control over your retirement account, but custodian will still be there holding your IRA with single asset, the LLC.

My name is Te'Erinn Chenvert and I am currently an accounting student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and I’ll be graduating the Spring of 2019.

Thank you @Marlon Fong and Account Closed for posting those resources for Keyoka. 

I am currently making my way through Brandon Turner's property rental book and one of my questions is, during your analysis of the property and initial estimates- how do you account for property tax - or the potential for it to eat up your cashflow at some point?

To make sure we are off to a solid start and have a good foundation, we are seeking recommendations for a lawyer and accountant who is Real Estate specific in the area to help us get started.

By the way, I am d'Amileau, my spouse is Lance who the account name is under, but I run the investment portion for us. 

Proper management infrastructure involves pay roll personnel on-site, with strategy/accounting/reporting/legal off-site.