Lower property taxes, affordable housing compared to LA (CA buyers are usually cash buyers because what they net from their smaller home in CA can get them a bigger home here, often covered by what they net from their CA sale), allergies (smog), and politics. 

There is 3-5% down payment options you can use.

Willing to exhaust all options as this is a big fish. 

For funding, explore options like FHA loans, personal savings, or creative financing, and focus on New Jersey markets that align with your goals, such as Newark for rentals or commuter towns for house hacking.

In this market, I would not finance a first time flipper at 75% profit split because the profits and success rate is lower than the last dozen years.  

Just the different brand name lowers the cost dramatically!

I’m not sure what is the best option here, if anyone could shed some wisdom that would be immensely appreciated. 

What was the quality like compared to local options?

Have you also looked into other funding options?

I'd see how next 2 weeks go before lowering the price.