Realize they serve 2 diff purposes:1) LLC is to limit a claimants recourse to your assets and passes thru income to the end entity2) S-Corps are the end entity and are used to reduce taxes (like FICA) and W-2 amounts by providing more generous benes (like retirement contributions) to "employees" as long as all are treated equally.DISCLOSURE - AM NOT A CPA OR TAX PROFESSIONAL.

I want to know that the seller is being treated professionally and with respect and that the wholesaler is trying to help that seller solve their problem by connecting them to me.

If you think you will work less, or have less balls to juggle by being self employed, you may be mistaken.Your lifestyle may improve (or may degrade) depending on how you how much you like or dislike doing the self employed things you must do.You might make more (bonuses) working W2 at 70+ hours than you will investing (in some positions, for some employers), others exploit their workers terribly, and treat them bad.

The first is that if you reside in a community property state in the USA, which treats properties owned jointly by spouses as being a single owner (simplified explanation!)

This is a business for you and you treat it as such. 

Here's the thing I generally treat contactors, tenants, agents, pretty much everyone how I want to be treated.

Or do institutions treat VTB differently than conventional mortgages when it comes to taking out equity? 

Spend a little money on tech if you are going to do it yourself and treat it like you are a pro.   

Treat it like a business, the more time you put in the more reward you get out.

I’d treat it like applying for a Section 8 voucher where a tenant needs to prove he has need.