The rest of the work is just poor craftsmanship or pure incompetence. 

If this were pure investment, I wouldn't be looking in Alameda, but this is also where my wife and I will live and commute to our jobs from, so the considerations shift a bit.I've read that San Leandro, right next door, has no RC, so I am going to look around there too. 

I rented 1 room out for 800/month so now i basically live free and want to quickly buy my second home, purely investment purposes. 

Purely on CoC US beats Canada all day long but due to financing options, Canada have an edge if you consider equity pay down as well. 

Their site seems to indicate that they offer the option to underwrite purely on the property, which is what I'm seeking.

In Los Angeles, probably somewhere between $25-100/sf, depending on the scope of the rehab, the contractors you use, your negotiating skill and how you choose to manage the project.Unlikely you'll be getting much done in that area for less than $25/sf, and unless it's purely basic cosmetics, it's probably going to be much higher than that. 

“Purely selling” is short term vision. 

Many people who reach financial independence find their way to substance abuse purely for the fact they are bored and cannot sit with their thoughts (me).

I purely use my home as an investment.

If it’s purely investment you’ll have to do some sort of other loan.