And it has sparked an interest in buying more established businesses going forward.

There is absolutely no possible way that $7k is going to make any meaningful impact on whether this property makes a good investment or not.

Whatever it is just focus on taking meaningful action every day toward your goals. 

In Cali, the good areas usually outperform the not so good by such a significant margin that if you can go to the better locations the results could be very meaningful long run.

I personally would hire an inspector they (we) may be generalists but its a valuable and meaningful service.  

Even if you never watch a single video and just call 50 people who are inside of the group already, you will make meaningful connections with private money lenders, wholesalers, realtors, and people doing deals who will help you and answer your questions.This community is LIFE CHANGING.

That would be much more meaningful and have a greater impact on his future rather than your lashing out as you have done which, by the way, helps absolutely no one.

I'm a newbie just starting out in real estate investing. I'm currently interested in learning as much as I can while I build some equity and get my financials in order.  I purchased my first home in 2014 and will be u...

I hope you continue to post because you can get meaningful advice from very experienced people but it isn't a forum for everyone. 

And he's going to need to exchange more than just the down payment in order to have any kind of meaningful tax deferral.One option would be to structure it as a lease/option.