Setting up a US based entity is your first step, you are already doing that it seems. 

The reality is the assessments are correct, but when you do the math based on the tax rate (which in most locales has also gone up) our property taxes on our properties is up an average of over 10%…I know some will say “fight the assessments” but honestly I think some of them may be low (and truth be told I would guess less than 5% if people contest assessments).I am curious, have others started to receive their assessments - and were you in sticker shock?

Per this NY Times article, the average American knows around 600 people.https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/science/the-average-american-knows-how-many-people.html#:~:text=The%20average%20American%20knows%20about,do%20you%20know%20named%20Kevin%3FPer the US Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 time in their life, which based upon an approximate lifespan of 84 years, works out to be about every 7 years.https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/calculating-migration-expectancy.html#:~:text=Using%202007%20ACS%20data%2C%20it,one%20move%20per%20single%20yearSo, if the average American knows 600 people and they each move about every 7 years, that means that the average American knows around 85 people that move in any given year.How many of those moves do you want to be involved in?

If the base zoning is RSA5, single family is the allowed use & lot area is not relevant. 

Based on your self-description  I assumed you were an investor, and I corrected the information you posted.

- Based on the certification requirements, it seems that becoming a MLO is fairly simple process even if you've never worked in the industry before.

It would be great to have a local group based in Central Florida so we could meet in person but I don't want to limit the potential of the group so I'd be interested to hear from anyone with these interests. 

Now, we are currently establishing business lines of credit, unsecured, which are based on our personal credit (we're each doing this through separate LLCs).

We're based in Tampa and do a lot in that area.

This step is about generating income from your investment.Refinance: Once the new properties are stabilized (occupied by tenants and generating income), look into refinancing them based on their new, improved value.