Hostaway said that the people they work with usually use their personal bank account or business account link to stripe.

Personally, I prefer a new build over rehab just because you know what you've got on it, but it doesn't always make sense money-wise. 

Yes, I'm mostly purchasing under my personal name.

In my personal portfolio there aren't any pet restrictions = better tenants, higher rents, and tenants that stay longer.

So if you are looking to meet agents, wholesalers, maybe a couple lenders, or some investors that have done a few flips or own a couple SFRs, you will find many people there.This isn't to say they are bad, but in the several dozens I have attended, they have not been worth my time, professionally or personally.  

If the pest control could put a  bait box at the outside front and back of your own personal townhouse, it would probably treat for all the mice in the immediate area, but I don't know if that's even allowed in a condo community.I would get a few other residents to bring it to the HOA. 

Unlike personal property, real estate also requires agreement on closing date, repairs, etc., so even if list price, cash is offered, another term might not work, so likely no way to hold a seller to sell until they actually sign an offer.

I'd hope to actually only do a 50% LTV to keep this cashflowing solidly but get my money back out.

I personally believe that landlords can be great change agents in a community.  

RE agents are feeding into this by offering introductions to "trusted" contractors or misrepresenting how "easy" it is to find a contractor and handle the renovations as a DIY GC.We've always had a hybrid model where we help investors purchase a property in a solid area that needs rehab.