Short Term Rentals on Gulf Coast

[Lindsay Broome]

My husband and I are interested in purchasing a condo or small home on the Gulf Coast to use as a vacation rental.  Looking from Gulf Shores to Panama City, we even would be interested in Clearwater/Tampa/St.Petersburg, I just don't know much about that area.

We have done airbnb in Nashville, so we know how to run them.  We are a little burned out on the Nashville area (where we currently) live and not interested in investing here.  My husband does remodeling for a living (on his own), so we are more than happy to find something dated and crappy and put the work in ourselves.  

a few questions....

Alabama vs Florida.....what states/cities have more favorable regulations/taxes for short term rentals? (does that even exist, ha!)

Condo fees......Some seem to be over the top, what is reasonable to expect?

Price......Is it realistic to think we could find a 3 bed 2 bath condo or home within a few blocks from the beach under $200K?

What areas do you think are great investments? Anyone doing well or terrible that way?  I'm open to all advice and opinions :)