Congrats on taking your first steps into the REI world.

It is a great start to have goals, the next step is listing out concrete steps with deadlines that will help you achieve those goals.

Admittedly, step one: get out of paying $2500 a month for rent and putting my money to work for me!

If I acquire 1 new note every 3 months, it will take 7 years to hit my initial target.I know this doesn't include notes that turn NPN, I'll have to read more about that.

My initial thoughts is that they may have been in default but there is no lis pendens.

My immediate initial goal, similar to many others on the forums, was to purchase a multifamily in the area and house hack but it unfortunately seems that the supply & demand in the D.C. / Northern Virginia market is way too saturated to make that strategy worthwhile.

Is there a step-by-step outline for this? 

(according to property tax record)  Going up for courthouse steps auction and Hudson Marshall is the marketer.

I don't have any earth shattering secrets you can't find in books, but I can share actual experiences, timelines, prices, rehab costs, insurance costs, rental roles, property management and tips for how I've created a 19 unit portfolio worth almost $1M and generating over $100k annually inside my IRA, starting from a relatively small initial investment.  

If he does so, offer to give him a good reference.I cant imagine talking to a lawyer over 50 bucks.. just take the check.. write them a nice letter and tell them that the late fee should be on the next rent payment.I have seen so many landlords step over dollars to collect pennies.. you going to evict someone over 50 bucks and now have vacancy with the risk ( depending on your area) that comes with that and the lose of rent.. this to me is just not wise move..