There is so much to learn on BP that many new investors often get the shiny object syndrome and try to focus on too much to begin with.

Gives them experience and the all important principle that work = money.  

Equity: Balance your long-term equity development objectives with your immediate cash flow requirements.

High income earners may be subject to an additional 3.8% tax called the net investment income tax on both short-and-long term capital gains.So, yes, if your only objective to avoid capital gain and pocket the profit (not to do 1031 exchange or QOZfund), then stretching it to 2 years is your best option.

I know flipping is a shinier object then wholesale and looks good on TV, but I must say I don't envy full time flippers! 

To meet your objective is probably a near full time endeavor.   

I've been amassing the info necessary to have a decent grasp of the principles required and the tools to be successful in wholesaling, to start.

What @Michael McDevitt is saying is far more reliable than any "objective" rating service. 

You'd essentially be losing 2% on the spread, not to mention that technically your amortization includes some principle, which means that your second month, you will earn slightly less, and the 3rd month slightly less, etc., causing your negative spread to be even greater.On the other hand, you could try to pick funds or stocks that yield higher and capture the spread.  

(www.realestateexpress.com) I'm in Southern California also (Pasadena) so my road to licensure includes three 45hr college level pre-license online classes (California Real Estate Principles, California Real Estate Practice, and California Real Estate Finance).