Reverse engineer the opportunity first. 

Can you track burned out landlords, through tenant eviction records?

A wholesaler needs a binding contract with a seller so you can't go around them... and of course if you do go around them they are not going to bring you anymore deals.. so its common sense and logic in that regard.. however if the wholesaler appears to be a novice and and can only close if you close then you can set them up if you wish.go into contract with the wholesaler you will then get to find out who the owner is when you get the title work.. wait until the close date do not close wholesaler probably is out of contract ... contact seller either prior or just after and go direct...wholesalers if they are going to protect their position need to have the funds to close so buyers don't go around them if they don't they will get burned over time.I know when I flipped some subdivisions in my day. and these were larger type transactions 500k plus.. we had our cash ready.. as the builder who was buying them would go around us in a heart beat.  

My bro had a condo in Stockton (and was head of the HOA), but he was an engineer and worked in SF. 

First, what @Roy N. said. he is one of our most knowledgeable members.second, if you ever go with vinyl, there are a few complaints on the forum about dog pee "burning"/dissolving trough the glue/strip of glue used.paint, please choose something that can stand pets/scratches...

Even as a season investor I almost got burned because I didn't !!

As far as the flooring goes for hardwood you can use engineered and then glue it down long nasty sticky process but that's how it's done and for baseboards I use construction adhesive and 2" tapcon screws every 16"-24" depending on how straight the walls are on cabinets you could do same as baseboard or use redheads that would be my suggestion

We both have full time jobs, I am a Project Manager and he is an MEP (mechanical, engineering, plumbing). 

I’m a Major in the USAF (Civil Engineer and EOD by trade), currently stationed at Peterson AFB, Colorado, but I’m writing from Djibouti Africa where I’m deployed.

Think of yourself being in their situation and what keywords you would type into the search engines if you were let's say looking to sell your home fast.