If you don't intend to actually offer services to other individuals as an agent or broker but rather just plan to use it for yourself as an investor, what is the legitimate and respectable way to go about getting access to the MLS?

This will teach you more about evaluating houses, their necessary/optional repairs and associated costs than just about anything else there is.  

I believe the police said that they are aware of a group of individuals who target construction sites with hispanic works looking to rob them.

Everyone seems very eager to help teach and it was nice to know that I am not the only "newbie" in the area.  

The bank or anyone else looks at the business, not the individual.

Frankly, the two largest individual trustees don't really seem to be out to sell the properties - they're just following the steps so the bank can take possession.

Not a stable individual. 

They will allow a significant amount of homes to be financed individually.

I asked her where I could find these standards specific to multifamily and if each individual unit needed a functioning bath and kitchen.

It is likely that even the initial transaction may be a disqualified party transaction if you have existing joint ventures with this individual.