A reverse osmosis system (for your drinking water taps only) will take care of the sodium, it's not a huge concern unless you have high blood pressure or on a salt restricted diet.

We never bought thinner than 7mm.

And thank you @Joe Scaparra for lowering my blood pressure. :) I did get a really great inspector, who has followed up with me a lot and we talk pretty candidly about some of the things mentioned.

Are they related by blood/marriage?

I'm a contractor so it's in my blood.

That and the fact that deals are becoming thinner and thinner,  there is less room for the middle man (wholesaler) to take a cut.

Sounds like you're trying to get blood from a stone.

The only thing I would say is to watch rental laws and taxes since, as you know, in California it takes God and 6 unbiased judges as well as a writ signed in blood in order to evict someone.

Best of luck finding good flips now, they get quite competitive and the margins keep getting thinner!

However, in order to get the benefit of the low down payment, the non-occupant coborrower must be a blood relative.