For example Does a vacancy = any unoccupied house    Or is it strictly houses that are rehabbed and on the market to be rented but are currently vacant...    

Try to get recommendations from other investors in your area for a broker -someone who does strictly owner occupied houses isn't the one you're looking for. 

@Ayden Chu Strictly my opinion, but I always go over board on the Wow factors.

@Bryan Hancock  I agree that this model is not strictly what "crowdfunding" brings to mind, but I doubt very seriously that you'll hear any Investors complain - and it is Investors that will drive the success of this big experiment.  

The tenant screening process is pretty strict based on the what the property management company told me (5 year landlord history, high credit score, etc.), but I am concerned as utility costs rise that I will be unable to keep passing on the 2-3% yearly increases to tenants once we hit the ~$800/unit rent mark.

If you are getting the license strictly for investing purposes, you may want to consider getting a few investment deals under your belt and then determine if a license will benefit your business model.  

Sorry, but you will have a very hard time using the typical wholesaling/creative financing routine for multifam here in LA.

You can mitigate that risk by having a strict screening process and eliminating those who you think will not take care of the property.As for wholesaling - you basically have to be a master marketer to make it profitable.

I don't think there is a strict requirement to take one course before another if you are completing your course work at a local college that offers the classes...however, if you take your coursework through a structured licensing entity outside of a college, they will be quite structured in the order of courses.

If you connect with those folks and ask questions routinely, you will get the same benefit as having a mentor.