Also, my experience does not represent the entire MN wholesale community...just a small sample size.

Size is going to be the biggest determining factor here.

I'm looking at the Birmingham market for mid to large size multifamily properties (~16+ units). 

Possible that some of the property is wetland, or the minimum lot size in your area is very large. 

Laura,Tons of forums on this topic on BP (try searches on "screening", etc)...People will and have chimed in with their process and recipe....Also, you may want to also look broadly at the renting and tenant onboarding process (I have a few classic buy and hold landlording books on a blog post, all should be free at library or low cost at used bookstore).....Best of luck!

What would you say is the maximum amount of units you could possibly build on a 9,910 square foot lot? Thank you in advance

Is this the standard and in your experiences please, what are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing / not allowing petsAlso, what is the best way to screen prospective renters?

I think you may want to start with the size of the asset you're looking to buy (10 unit buliding, 50 unit, 150+ unit) and the capital you have for purchase.  

I think with a community the size you're talking about, all 2BRs is fine!  

I am down in the panhandle , the warm banana belt of the state (raining like crazy now) but I like that, like our large state, you have Alaska sized goals..