I even paid for a salesman who I found on my Craiglist ad to post up my "I buy mortgage notes!"

My payoff was then added to the sellers side, I’d be paid back at the time of closing and seller and buyer then would take 2nd position from seller finance and my payoff on sellers side should have been wired back to me.Never disclosing another lien on the seller side and nothing in the HUD, we theoretically had no concerns.

did small renovations myself, added back decks, paint, new kitched appliances, etc.

You've received some great advice on this thread especially what @Taylor Dasch said about adding value to your databsase via knowing your market and sharing properties.That said, I'd recommend focusing your time and efforts on:1. 

If your $150,000 properties appreciate by just 3%, they could be worth around $200,000 each in 10 years, adding significant equity.Additionally, mortgage paydown from tenants further builds equity.

I saw an ad on IG the other day for a private lender who was going up to 96% of the purchase price and funding 100% of the renovation cost.

I'm particularly interested in purchasing two-bedroom, one-bath (minimum) properties that offer space and potential for adding an extra bedroom and bathroom.

The property also has a ~800 sqft basement, 400 sqft of which is finished and I plan to finish the rest by adding a full bathroom, and making two bedrooms (both will be egress but one will be more of a family room than bedroom). 

Also, the costs in Florida are high, with expenses for insurance and the hurricane risk adding up.

This is without adding in an outside approval process.