And while you do secure the deal you will have all the carrying costs until spring.  

Here are some specific areas that we would love your perspective on:-What is the best way to accept money (application fee, deposit to hold, security deposit, etc.) from applicants if our business accounts are not set up yet?

You may also consider installing a security system that has glass break monitoring.

I purchased my first property under my personal name and secured a mortgage as a "second home", but the plan was really to rent it out as a STR.

For me, it added an extra level of security/ protection above the regular homeowners policy (injury, property damage etc). 

Or if you want to be more hands on, you can sell/trade options, and earn 1-2% weekly (cash secured put/covered call strategy). 

I am a FTHB and currently taking steps to secure a lender.

Once we get the interest free CC paid off and secure the cash out ReFi's we should be able to have no money of ours into any houses, cash flow a couple thousand each month, and continue to grow. 

You would to have opted for an enhanced policy to cover this. 

If you're trying to do a securities sale with a variable group of investors, Reg CF or Reg D would be the best option.