From California Code: First, A property manager does not need a real estate license if they do not engage in either leasing activities or the collection or rents.

I have two applicants for a unit at a 4 plex property that is up/down configuration. Each has had a disclosed DUI and their background checks should be back soon. Does their occupation raise any other items? I presume...

IMO, wholesalers are already engaged in providing real estate brokerage services under the current definition. 

Due to the size of your engagement you need to look at small CPA firms or hook up with at CPA who has his or her own practice.

Here are some tips:Consider using a lender and a local agent that mostly engage in STR deals.Identify the STR communities you want to buy in.

I finally managed to catch the mail man one day and I engaged him, he informed me the owner had passed back in September, it was now February, turns out I had missed him by just about a month when I had begun trying to track it down.

Vinyl plank flooring is popular and easy to replace when the tenant damages the flooring. 

Using made up numbers for sake of example, if vinyl plank flooring and granite countertops add $X/psf to the property value in Neighborhood A, but Subject Neighborhood has none of those things, consider using $(X-.2)/psf for the same updates to land in a conservative range for the Subject Property.Best of luck and I hope this one works out well!!

We have engaged an attorney but I am looking to learn as much as possible before we get into the weeds with him. 

You need someone with very specific knowledge to talk to those owners as many are investors themselves and will not engage with a random cold caller.VAs are very helpful for other admin and marketing tasks.