So understanding the market your investing I would strongly encourage you not to pay tenant utilities. 

If you offer once per week with serious and strong offers, you eventually will get one.

It didn’t hurt that the city of Portage has a strong local job market and a great school district.

A strong knowledge of the local market4.)

Although I am a REALTOR® and not a wholesaler, I would strongly advise you to talk to everyone you can.

It's usually easier to qualify for commercial, so if a bank approved you, I'd say there's a strong chance.Rates are usually higher in the commercial sector.

I don’t think you are experienced enough yet to purchase an old home from a wholesaler without strong knowledge of house construction, materials, and knowledge of what “issues” to look for.

Sure it's nice to pull up my brokerage account, see them cute green arrows, and listen to talking heads shout "Strong Buy!"

You definitely give up on a few things - complete privacy (multi-families are old, with thin walls and creaky floors), sharing a backyard (we never felt comfortable having friends over and having too many beers on weekends or holidays), and we were always in landlord mode mentally (let us know if you need anything!

Perhaps a bridge lender would be more inclined to finance as long as you had a strong business plan.