I’ve been a real estate investor since 2015, owning and managing multiple multifamily properties and running a short-term rental business in Cape Cod, the Lakes Region of NH, and the Berkshires.

You really got to do due diligence right now if you look into Lake Okeechobee Florida and that surrounding area I feel it can go well.  

@Nicole ShoafLike you, we live in the Santa Cruz area but have investment properties out of state near Salt Lake City.

If you are willing to entertain areas outside Gainesville, you should look into areas like South Fulton, Forest Park ( lots of lower priced inventory) Jonesboro, and College Park to name a few.

Negligent forest management, drug addicts, or illegals? 

It's an acreage property near the lake that has a main house (2/1), guest house (3/2), and small studio-layout unit (3 units on same property).

I've seen properties on a lake or near a park or popular trail that will consistently get higher rent. 

It was the worst house in the best location. 5 acres just above a lake outside of a desired town.

@Lake Lutes any thoughts here?

Quote from @Jessie Dillon: one thing that you can do is have the seller transfer the deed to a living trust that they're the sole beneficiary of, and call the bank to give them a heads up that they're doing it for estate planning purposes. then, a month or more later, buy the property sub-to, and change the beneficiary of the trust. the bank can not see who owns a trust, and if they ever come back and question it, you can just swap the beneficiaries again, show the bank that the seller is still the owner, then swap it back again when they buzz off. this is one of many reasons it's so important to keep a good relationships with the seller if you're buying this way. you have to work together on some stuff.In summary: fraud.