I have not received any return on my money. 

Quote from @Brandon Morgan: If you screw up a deal with a friend or relative, you will lose money and the relationship.

Possibly the California money relocating to Houston?

I make a decent amount of money nearly from my W-2 (over 100k) but still not enough to easily buy another property this year especially if I have to put down 20%.

They don't care you have money on the table. 

Many times it’s about identifying where their money is going.

The Realtor receives a 1099 with the commissions included from sale, can they deduct the closing cost amount paid to reduce or essentially wash out the commissions since they never actually received the money?

I care about having a flip history and building a relationship so I can get better terms on hard money.

It is NOT a 'pay your money, here's your course and see you later' situation.This is a group of likeminded individuals that are all working towards the same goal and are happy to help each other grow and make it too.

Is so watch out for trip hazzards: if they need government assistance in the future there’s a look back period where the government will want that money.