I am sending out 600 cards a month.

They already are given their utility allowance on a debit card instead of via direct payments to the utility companies, and lo and behold, none of them magically ever have enough money to pay their utilities, but they have plenty to host parties drink smoke get llegal pets that trash the place far beyond what the security deposit covers...so I can't imagine how much money is getting pissed away in Florida.

Now that I own rentals my debt cycles with winter fuel and sometimes remodels being put on a credit card.

Hey there Holli, congrats on the wedding venue that is a dream of mine to own one day.

I would like to keep the number (biz cards etc...) but I am not stuck to it.

The next one is more pricy but we plan on staying in it 7 to 10 years until we buy our dream land to build. 

I forget the number right now but if you are within I think 5 days from sale date the lender isn't obligated to reinstate, but still may.You may be able to delay the foreclosure by simply asking for more time, you are now the property owner and have some sway.A couple observations:You don't have title insurance as no title company will insure a trustee's deed in CA, so that won't help you.You won the auction based on your commitment to occupy the property (SB1079), so this is not a quick flip.To buy time and delay foreclosure you can file a stripped down bankruptcy.You can't stop payment on the 86k wining bid since you paid cash at the trustee sale.Generally trustee sale buyers don't have a real good feeling for the property condition, unless you do for some reason, so this is a wild card. 

Under the IRS rules, a person  qualifies as a real estate professional if: (1) more than one-half of the personal services the taxpayer performs in trades or businesses during the tax year are in real property trades or businesses in which the taxpayer materially participates, AND.....(2) hours spent providing personal services in real property trades or businesses in which the taxpayer materially participates total more than 750 during the tax year.Like @Greg Scott and @Russell Brazil mentioned above, I don't believe that you would qualify as a REPS, but if you are going to try it, make sure you document it very well (i.e. with some kind of proof, like time cards, mileage forms, and/or receipts, etc.) so that just in case you do get audited, you at least have something to provide to the IRS agent. 

While we are not truly concerned with making it someones dream home, we do want it to be smooth/safe with a modest level of eye appeal and without a massive time or money investment.

still not keen on that model.But for agents that are part of someone's dream team you know the core 4..