Florida should be busy currently with people staying in the Winter to get away from the cold & snow. 

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

By staying informed and adaptable, investors can find opportunities in both booming and challenging markets.Overall, with careful planning, thorough research, and a strategic mindset, real estate investing can be a fulfilling journey towards financial success and stability.

.- Once your time is more impotant to you then the cost of a PMC, you can hire one.2) Hire a PMC to guide you on your first rental and learn from their expertise.- You can buy additional properties and DIY manage those, perhaps leaning on the PMC for any issues you're not sure how to handle on your own.Good luck:)

Here's a detailed guide on how to screen applicants: Application Screening Guide

Stay at it for 2 or 3 years and you will have your down payment 

Its a month to month and im in a weak position even to ask the tenant to renew lease now and they seem they are willing to stay they just need a solution to the issue.

Market might be competitive but there is angles to stand out depending on what you are comfortable and able to handle, such as waiving an appraisal contingency, limitng inspection rights and time frames, closing time frames, allowing seller to stay-post closing, taking on difficult tenants, buying properties that might need repairs, etc.

Couple is splitting up and one is wanting to stay. 

good call on the guide, it is a great resource.