If they are not co-brokered it could be just how it went down but it could also mean that your agent is entertaining only direct inquiries to earn full commission and is not interested in cooperating with other brokers in the market where the commissions will have to be split!  

Ex: 5% extra interest per 6 months overdue4- and if it really goes south, the lender would have a 1st lien and personal recourse?

Although I don’t have enough equity/ extra money for full commission, I am willing to give $5K max for finder's fee.So, I am wondering if any of you can give me some suggestions of other things that I have to try?

The appraiser, instead of counting the second stories square footage, included it as an extra, such as what you would do for a casita or a pool and adjust like 15k.   

I keep all my tools and extra materials in whichever unit I'm working on currently.

I can see that they have some extra work but that is why they get paid right?

I just have been reading and watching videos about wholesaling and it seemed like an interesting strategy to make some extra money.

Your equity has a earning ceiling equal to the prevailing mortgage interest rate.

extra income of $1500 or so - has anyone done anything like this before?  

Why not move somewhere that has proper employment so you can earn and save money?