Also have a related question: for someone new to notes but happy to put some effort into them, would you suggest sticking to performing notes for the first bit, or perhaps dipping a toe into a non-performing note?

See inflation-induced debt destruction at the bottom of this article, you would be on the other end of that stick as a note owner.I think you could also argue that leveraging is easier/more practical with rental property, which might be the biggest factor in long term growth.Thats not so say one is better than the other for long term growth, just that there are different things to consider. 

I'm actively pursuing apartment deals in Huntsville ... have had some LOI's out but still trying to get one to stick.   

And are you happy with sticking around the 100k house mark or would you do it differently if you started over? 

People pay more for more and less for less, usually - for now just stick with that until you are more experienced and savvy.Per the link provided by the other poster, I observed $1400 in rent is towards the high end of the rent range. 

My lesson out of all this and this is just for my own sanity I'LL BE STICKING TO OFF MARKET DEALS FROM NOW ON....

You have to remove chipped paint and sand the surface a little so the next layer of paint will stick.

Finish..if you stick it out, you can finish, however there will be challenges..BUT....I can look back and say I'm gonna finish!!!

I was glad to not ride that roller coaster.I admire people with the fortitude to stick it out through the ups and downs.

I work with some investors who stick to fourplex's or less because they can stick with traditional fixed rate loans.