I do not bring the houses up to flip standard, but to rental standard. 

It's not a manufactured home, but they basically build a shell on slab using standard materials and you finish out the interior walls / decor yourself. 

Furthermore, a tax CPA providing any level of assurance would be a violation of AICPA professional standards. 

My experiencebefore jumping through all the hoops to get a dealers license I googled mobile home manufacturers in GA I emailed 3 manufacturers.  2 called me the next day and the 3rd emailed me I told them what o was considering and asked them how much they would sell me a standard 3/2 approx 1300 sq foot and 1500 sq foot house for if I was a licensed dealer     For me the price was not enough for me to do what is required to get my dealers license.  

You can find standard loans in the low 4s with 20 or 25% down and 25 year amortizations.I've bought and sold similarly priced properties.

I didn’t know if a bidding war is standard practice or something that only the shady landlords do.

As stated above, one months fee for leasing is standard.

This "upcharge" is mentioned in the contract, it was never disclosed, and it wasn't until I asked for a copy of a specific invoice that I discovered that it was happening. 

All REO’s have additional addendums to the standard contract.

Unlikely you will get caught but do you want to jeopardize your standard of living.