If you go to REI meet ups you will usually find investor friendly realtors there.As far as continuing ed classes, contact your local board for what is coming up in your area or there are a lot of online courses to take geared towards investment real estate, just be sure it is a certified company so you get your c.e. credits.Best of Luck!

I considered being a Certified Property Manager; however, that designation requires being a real estate agent.I truly appreciate the thought.Regards, 

since they might fail to fill it out, on the premise they're an indie not an employee, i'd probably then go as far to write into the contract that the independent contractor cannot be paid per IRS, wihout an W-9 certifying their status as a payee.

The problems here run deep and are systemic and fundamental in nature.  

Do you need to be Real Estate Investor certified?

There is no way everyone will leave at once barring natural disaster.

I called every place I could think of and naturally they are all booked out a month away.

We use 10% vacancy unless they report higher.To get some quick local intel go to IREM.org search for ARM certified property managers.

We may convert the furnace to natural gas from oil.

Then you'd get your certified check made to bring to closing.