Check out places very well before you buy, looking at costs, checking the place top to bottom, looking up who owned it before, comparing prices in the area, checking out tenants, and looking at the legal stuff.

A current goal, would look more like “Save x amount for DP and closing costs for first property.”

I recommend looking into areas near economic bases - close to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State Campus, New Albany, etc.

We all want to close that first deal so badly that we will wreck our financials to make it "work."

I looked at tampa but it's more of a suburban market. miami has over 21 zip codes you can go up to 8 stories in because of the affordable housing issues and it is the only city in Texas and florida in the top 10 most affordable housing needs ranked by city. it's not even close. 

House is valued close to 1.5 million. 

I assume it is already rented, if not you will already be behind when you close on the home unless you find someone to rent it ASAP.  

And they have to be in place prior to the closing of your sale. 

Additional Question:Is it possible a lender give you a close to a primary residence interest rate for your investment property ? 

I'm afraid this is the cash you are expecting at closing.