To preface my replies, I am observing from afar using a variety of online tools and my assumptions might not be totally accurate, so thank you so much to all you local experts for lending me your advice. 

I have been running number with the calculators available through the given tools on Bigger Pockets, but I have been made aware by a couple of people I know that it is best to get pre-approved first before I start to look at properties, would this be beneficial to both mine and the future agent I work with?

I would get one or two airBNB properties under your belt first to determine if the strategy is indeed valuable.

Hey @Justin Coulson, there is a program called Podio that is a great tool.

It's been a great tool for us, and I always recommend everyone educate themselves on the loan as an option! 

I won't become a full time wholesaler, but it was interesting to use it as a different tool to achieve a successful deal. 

I could go on and on why it's the best, but just trust me as I've been to scores of them and this is the one that I have learned the most and made the most valuable relationships at.

BP has various tools to help you analyze your deals (rentals, flips, wholesale, etc). : https://www.biggerpockets.com/investment-calculators8.

I am not trying to profit off this, but my time is valuable (~1hr of work+travel) and all actions have consequences  - I want the tenant to understand this.

I do plan on this commercial property being a value add BRRRR in the sense of forcing equity, reducing expenses and raising rents.I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this personal situation and I am beyond thankful to have such a wonderful tool at my fingertips!