I want to avoid private investors, but I have not ruled out the option entirelyMy question(s) to you is:1.

This way you avoid the closing costs of the re-fi. 

Some mentors recommend avoiding 2-4 plexes precisely because they are hard to get comps for.  

But I still would like to avoid the 3 1/2 California tax fee if you sell a property within a year.Would it make sense to just open a Limited partnership with my business partner so we don't pay the tax upfront on our flips or does someone have another or better idea?

That is the significant reason why you will see a high degree of capital flowing into MHPs toward the top of the cycle; it is seeking a place to weather the coming storm and avoid loss of capital. 

Nope, that's their job, and while I find it a completely unnecessary service, many people out there would be completely lost without a realtor.

Unless there's a huge price drop, or you like the home to live in yourself, I would avoid.

It is relatively easy to avoid UBTI and such, once you understand the rules.  

The increasing number of crowdfunding platforms makes it a bit of a challenge to decide which ones to look at seriously, and which to avoid.

Experience is the best teacher, but if I can avoid wasting time by asking questions, I'm all for it!