Have ever heard of concentrated orange cleaner deodorizer or heavy duty concentrated citrus degreaser cleaner?

Sometimes it is difficult, but the closer to can get to comparing "apples to apples", instead of "apples to oranges", the better off you will be.

Assuming all of this is true, especially the list of lenders as noted above (and not for example a "lender" under a Deed Contract or Installment Note to Mom & Dad, Aunt Judy or Farmer Bob),  and assuming that we're not in an absolutely rural locale, where the REI/Wholesaler actually may have a better network than an area's licensed Agent from 5+ miles away... ...Then what possible value could a wholesaler actually add **from a Lender's point of view**  in an REO transaction?   

I am in the Orange County area and was looking to see who i can go to to have this contract revised to see if it is okay in my area before i start jumping into wholesaling properties??

Comparing, as you suggest, when an IRA would be the right tool to use relative to a personal investment in real estate is comparing apples and oranges.  

I was just at a live foreclosure auction at the city hall steps in Orange, CA.

We found that we could, however, get decent (but not great - we're in Orange County after all) cash flow if we bought a local multifamily.

Im right around the corner on Orange between Harding and 61st.

According my research, cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange County, etc has GRM of 10 and above. 

I did owe a good amount on taxes the following year, which i paid off but at i now have a good APR and a good mortgage amount living in the Orange County , Ca area.As for your mothers home i would keep it and buy out your sister.