Kinda hard to ban the federal government. 

Much like increased regulations, these questions seek little more than to increase the  barriers to entry for the wholesaler. 

Areas were 90% or more of my tenants will be on sec 8 and government assistance programs.

If anyone has any advice for me, specifically on additions to the list above and around MA regulations / challenges that make the wholesaling process different here than the process outlined in most of the BP forums / podcasts, please let me know!

Just the legal fees alone to draw up the governing documents, record everything and get you legal are going to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.  

Most GC that undergoes the program knows lead issues on pre 1978 houses, if they are that concerned about their business to get certified, that's a plus.Disclosure: I have the certification, I just find my painting subs with certificate much more reliable than that who doesn't, especially if I am working on government building interior.

I don't like being bogged down on a rehab for months and I detest working with government entities like code enforcement and the building department.

A modification is a 'new' extension of credit and at the time the modification is executed all compliance and regulations apply to the loan.  

Smartmove sounds like an awesome resource and I will definitely look into it but for now, to do a credit and background check do you look for companies that do specifically that or is there a financial or government building that you go to to have these done?

You probably don't know how to price a rehab if you're  a realtor unless you have construction experienceExisting financing is important as far as what the balances are, what the payment is PITI and what kind loan it is, conventional, government-backed FHA, etc.A joint venture with the money partner might be an idea or a hard money lender might be an ideaIf it's a minor rehab I do joint ventures with the seller directly, where I'll give them a note for their equity, a vacant house, then I buy it  subject to the existing financing, and give them a note of their equity.At the time I buy it subject to there's a joint venture agreementI usually use private lender money for the rehab, and you can start going REIA meetings and asking for private lenders and also ask all your friends and family.Here's an exampleHundred thousand dollar house ARV needing 10,000 in rehabIf it's 65% of ARV minus rehab costs that's 55,000 for the sellerWhat seller in their right mind would take 55,000 for a 100k house that needs 10,000 work?