It is the first positive step toward investing... even though it is in the opposite direction. 

Does pursuing the non-performing note ever pan out by securing a collateral interest in the property? 

Any help or first steps would be appreciated thank you.

In Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad Poor Dad", he writes: “I began shopping at the bankruptcy attorney’s office or the courthouse steps.

To me that extra step is worth not having a balloon payment and slightly higher rate.Now with joint ventures, properties that are 5+ units, or it is short term financing I look at hard money, private loans, commercial financing, etc.

That will be my next step.

Diving into the wholesale deal was pretty scary, especially since my step mom who was a real estate agent, said wholesaling sounds illegal since It looked like to her I was selling a house I did not own.

They should have taken the steps necessary to fix it.

If I were to pursue being an agent, I would likely try to find a nursing job were I only work two 12 hour shifts per week so I could dedicate 5 days per week to real estate.

Still renting and saving up for first home but slowly gaining knowledge about the correct steps in this journey.