Hi NoahI’m ericIf you still have friends and family in po We have rentals and do flips in po , wapp ect I also host a networking in real estate meet up for last 4 maybe 5 years We’re not nyc but market is still hot up here 

do I just call and notify the seller that I now own a tax deed and cloud on their title?  

Hosts do anything to ensure a 5-star, to include lying about the guest just to coax a positive review out of them.Hotels don't look at reviews and they do just fine.The people you are talking about are the same ones that will eat most of a steak dinner, then demand a refund because it was under-cooked.

That's a big disappointment for hosts, as more and more barriers are being placed in our way.

I'm not in FL but if you are in set up mode you could try NREIG; you don't need STR coverage till you host your first guests

Look for workshops or seminars on real estate hosted by specialists in the area.

Looking back, I realized the importance of sticking to the facts and not letting emotions cloud your judgment.And don't forget about building relationships.

Usury (and a whole host of other legal compliance issues) need to be answered and addressed by an attny who does this on a regular basis.  

I would get in some local Facebook groups and see about finding a co-host that can help you with it all.

I'd also get security in place (with cameras that record and upload to the cloud) so that you know if he's broken into the property and if he has, be prepared to press charges.