Doing what you essentially described, Lease Option or Rent-To-Own Sales, can help you get through the legal aspects of what you are calling Seller-Financing....

Did I make a stupid move by essentially adding a middleman?  

I'd like to start taking 30 minutes-1 hour a day to look for good deals in the Capital District (Albany, Latham, Watervliet, and Menands) and use the BP's calculators to help me practice finding these deals. 

I'm in a raise right now for a deal and in four days after my initial email, had 5 returning investors from previous deals that essentially read the deal summary and listened to the investor conf call, then sent me an email w/the amount they want to invest.  

It turns into part of the down payment, essentially, when the TB buys.  

Also, having a buyers list as a wholesaler is essential, but if you want a tip - it doesn't have to be a giant one.

I office out of our Uptown location and live in the NE suburbs (Lino Lakes) Which school district did you need to be close to?

You could essentially offer to cosign (that's what you'd be doing).

. - get back asap to the inquiries you receive, even if it is a brief prepared message, "Thank you for your inquiry, It will be my pleasure to find the information you are looking for, and will provide you with same as soon as possible"  , then do it... under-promise and over-deliver- be part of the Board of REALTORS in your district, get to know the computer program used and practice- take part of as many classes; webinars etc as possibleThe list goes on. 

I"M sorry doesn't do enough.I've also filed in district court myself for eviction action, you can do this yourself but if your out of town you'll probably need an attorney to do that for you.. no suggestions there.So research it some more and Good Luck.