I have to show the house anyway and give them keys once approved.I make them go to my bank and deposit rent directly to my account.

That would KILL your IRA and create huge tax penalties.There is a retirement plan based structure know as a Rollover as Business Startup that allows you to take existing retirement funds and use them to capitalize a business in which you are directly involved. 

So here we are a month into them releasing the home to another asset mgr and the receiving asset mgr has yet to see the home in their database.The home has been on auction.com for a yr and they simply tell me to make an offer with the bank...can't do that if I don't have the number and none of the ones I have tried seem to work...or better yet how do I find an agent who deals with chase reo homes so that I can present an offer directly?

Don't focus on the MLS -- do your own off-MLS direct marketing.

Any advice on West Michigan wholesalers or direct mail campaign?

I have been doing some reading on a Self Direct IRA for which an individual can take their 401k funds and move to a Self Directed IRA in order to purchase an investment property. 

Many don't want to admit it but the market is hyped and sellers know that, most flippers are doing direct mail and web, the market is saturated with wholesalers and wanna be wholesalers.

By the way, going to college or having a degree or degrees has no direct correlation of how intelligent a person is.

My thought process then is to create an LLC for the property, open a bank account for the LLC where rent will be collected and any expenses(repairs & renovations etc) will come out of.I understand that no one will directly give me legal advice on here, but just in general any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

It may not be feasible to bill your tenants directly for common costs.