Each state has their own eviction laws, and I would want you to set up it right on the front end.From what you've written, whoever has the ownership shoudl be the landlord on the lease.

It is basically everything I do in my local market....I'd love to go with a local property manager but they hide behind fair housing laws and say the property owner cannot refuse whatever tenant they pick.

That should be all you need unless there is something strange with Florida law. 

The other half are caveat emptor.2) When buying through an individual that likely isn't following state real estate laws already since they likely are in violation of the state brokers act....you probably arnt getting a disclosure even if state law requires it.

please reply with actual law codes if it’s criminal.

Stay up to date on all laws, federal down to local.

I feel in the event of a law suit, it will ultimately come down to whatever the judge/jury decides...again...subjective. 

@Bryan Balducki a short term rental isn't a bad idea, tho I believe there's many laws in my area that prevent me from listing anything for less than 30 days unless I'm in the unit & available.

It’s great to hear about your experience with income and holding costs—it really helps me get a clearer picture of the potential in the area.Do you happen to know what the zoning laws are like for short-term rentals on Dauphin Island?

I don't know how IL laws are but I think in most places a local municipality can only charge a fee to provide a service and the cost of the fee must roughly correspond to the work involved in providing the service.