So, we got a quote from him to take it from it's present state to texturing and painting of this 1,500 SF house, interior only, and the bid is $5,620 which is $1.25/SF of surface. 

I'm thinking if I can get both of the properties I would combine them back into one as they are adjacent and re-zone so I could build a MFR quadplex. does this seem like a good idea on the surface?

And now you and your partner have skin in the game. 

There's a reason wholesalers get a bad reputation - and it's not because they are making a profit without having skin in the game or don't have a license - it's usually because they move crappy deals, or they hang their clients out to dry when the deal goes bad, or they sell to people who really shouldn't be getting involved in the deal because they are not capable of handling the deal.Also - there's not one single definition of what "wholesaling" is.  

If you don't have a thick skin, not for you.    

Has to be on a hard surface, not the grass.  

Again, other might feel differently here.b) Skin in the game: as a conservative investor, I understand that the dirty secret of industries that the waterfall compensation is in the line with me and incentivizes sponsors to take more risk.

I ask because I'm a little uncomfortable that the "expert" has no real skin in the game and if it went sideways they aren't out anything but time. 

Looking for a RE attorney/title attorney, GC, and/or realtor that is willing to put some skin in the game and be active with me in searching for and closing deals.

Who and why is someone "potentially" letting you in with no skin in the game?