Sure it's not a legal thing. 

I contacted my exchange company to set up my 1031 process, and they informed me I could be held responsible by the IRS for back taxes, penalties, and legal fees if I get audited.

There is often a legal notice published for the benefit of the decedent's creditors. 

(Read my BP profile)(No I'm not an attorney and this is not legal advise but I was in the past involved in my own family probate matter)  

If I become an agent myself, is that the only way to legally check out houses?

After reading about the requirements for earning this license, I'm still a little confused about the requirement to be sponsored by a licensed designated broker.If I am working alone, not joining a firm, does that mean I need to form a legal entity and then file to endorse myself as the firm's designated broker?

HOA fee - If HOA fees are not paid, business will incur fines, so it is necessary to make the profit in the business.8) Marketing expense and advertising9) Cleaning and maintenance10)Commission (Expenses like commission, abstract fees, recording fees to obtain your mortgage are not deductible but rather capitalized )11) Insurance12)Legal and other professional fees(Tax preparation for business, not personal part)13)Management fee if applicable14) Points- you generally cannot deduct the full amount the first year but have to deduct them over the term of the loan.15) Repairs (Note always do repairs rather than improvements to rental because repairs are deductible right away and do not have to depreciate over few years as done for improvements.

If so, they legally are not able to perform removal work.

Legally you are not responsible for paying the agent's commission (the seller is), but in practice you will have to pay the seller enough for them to cover the commission more often than not.

I am rethinking maybe transactional funding might not be as good compared to having cash to buy the house outright and not restricted for wholesaling purposes either.