This is key if you have another job because time is money.Best of luck in your endeavor and if your husband has his license, I'd recommend not getting a license. 1) You don't have to deal with all the rules and regulations that your husband might be held to. 2) you have access to the MLS through him.

It appears we can easily get the 1% rule out of SFR rentals (I haven't seen any duplexes in that county) in that area.3.)

I use a set of conservative or semi-conservative rules that should keep me out of trouble if the market turns against me.

Do I take the issue up during contingency, or is creating these new rules a right I have as the owner, provided that I follow the lease? 

We use Kathryn Wilson at Texas Legacy and its always been very easy and they seem knowledgeable; however, we have never done assignments so thats my experience.

you should encoursage him to get in the industry then.. get a RE license and go make some dough its a lifelong career.. wholesaling at best is a flash in the pan.. great sales folks can make a killing brokering real estate in a high value market like NYC... many make 500 to 2 mil a year easy.

And how easy/hard is it to be an agent?

Can search probate court records here (http://probatedata.shelbycountytn.gov/) but it's not very easy.

It will be helpful if the person is also familiar with 1031 Exchange rules.  

A few years ago I had 30 homes under option just north of you in Vancouver BC and couldn't find a buyer for a single one.The best advice I can give you is to beware of the allure of how easy it it so get options on properties.