No American banks have branches here in NZ< though that may change with new regulations regarding trading which appear to be coming in, in the next few months.

I sent an email asking for Sched E's and other pertinent info that you described.As it turns out, the owner had another offer on the property, and she reach an agreement with them before seeing my offer. 

The problem is this is my first attempt at actually executing a deal and I have no type of outline as to what I should say over the phone, what questions to ask, etc.

Many other experienced flippers to chat with in SoCal too (but I'm not one of them) ... challenge for you will likely be financing as most really good deals can only be purchased all cash (or via hard money loan).You may need or want to partner to trade some sweat for experience.

Plus some of them love to talk to people and you never know what politician or lawyer or executive they picked up before you. 

The construction cost has been soaring in the last 3 years in the Bay area (I work in the corporate construction industry and our project management office is forecasting 10% fee escalation in all of the MEP trades in this year).

I would not go into a deal where the definition of success is dependent on being able to execute a refinance at the end if I did not have long-term, experienced relationships in place and had experience doing deals this way.  

Not least of which is to check with the state you're wholesaling in for any restrictions on that kind of trade.

I mean I know what it is... but never heard that term before but I that's not unusual for someone of my computer literacy and online interactions.however if you have had a bad experience with a turn key company you should post it.There was a lady who bought one in Birmingham through a turn key company and it was a long thread on what poor service she got.. but I can't e mail and say hey you should put that on turnkey reviews.. can't force folks to do it..

The construction cost has been soaring in the last 3 years in the Bay area (I work in the corporate construction industry and our project management office is forecasting 10% escalation in all of the MEP trades in this year).