Glad you have experience investing locally. 

Lastly, your going to want to get with local governance, a lot more then normal.

I refinanced it into a  5% 30-year mortgage with a local bank as the seller would only carry the loan for a year.

A single-family home or small multi-unit property can be a great way to dip your toes in the water.Build a Team: Even if you’re planning to handle most things yourself, having a good real estate agent, property manager (if needed), and a reliable handyman can make life so much easier.Learn the Local Laws: Pensacola is pretty investor-friendly, but it’s always good to know local zoning laws and short-term rental regulations if you’re thinking about Airbnb or VRBO.Run the Numbers: Make sure you’re clear on the property’s cash flow potential.

Did you guys go to the local PD, DA, FBI, etc? 

A customer of mine happened to be a local real estate investor and he owned the land next to my business. 

Check with your broker and make sure this fits with your local laws.

I found this deal as an off-market property through my local network in the Hamptons.

You might be some answers here but local people will be better. 

Just be sure to check local regulations because some spots are cracking down on STRs.