MAX I would pay is 650k, and that would still be below avg of a deal. 

Sorry you are dealing with this, but it'll be a good learning experience and you'll be sharpening your skills. 

How would you deal with it?

Does cousin B have the cash laying around to pay all the taxes on his sale after using all his sale’s cash for this deal (to avoid taxes he must use all cash.) if the IRS denies his exchange and demands the taxes be paid?

Hi,I’ve done a few hard money deals and I’ve been trying to cash out refinance a rental that’s just about finished.

for a 1 story or 2 story building not for a high rise or midrise. you can easily avoid by what floor you buy or build on in miami. suburban deals or on south beach sure but not in a city high rise development you won't be worrying 

My recommendation is that if you would like to invest in CA, I would look into a partnership or even a syndication deal.

I'm not sure why he thinks it would be a good wholesale deal being upside-down in value.

I've used deal machine and PropStream before and don't "love" either.

I deal with this in Boston all the time and it's always holding me up from adding bedrooms in the basement or attic unless I want to go in front of the ZBA.