Nothing illegal about doing that, but if caught, the lender may call the loan due and if you don't correct the situation or pay the loan off, they willstart mortgage foreclosure.3) You could also go the HELOC route to tap the equity in the home, but the 12-month owner-occupancy will also apply AND the interest rate on the HELOC will fluctuate with the Fed Fund Rate.4) You could do a cashout refi as an investment property, but that will be at an interest rate 0.5-1% higher than owner-occupied rate.Suggest you meet with 2-3 lenders to explore your options about the above.Once you have access to funds, recommend you buy a 2-4 unit with 20-25% down. - You can buy owner-occupied, live in one unit, and fix up and rent the other unit(s).- If you're handy, recommend buying a property in the worst condition you can tolerate.

Does anyone have suggested property management companies they've used in Florida that they can recommend I reach out to, to see if we're a good fit for each other?

Quote from @Andrea Lucarelli: I’m interested in beginning my REI career with purchasing a SFH or condo in Cleveland area (safe neighborhood) to list as a furnished rental for travel medical professionals, supply corporate housing needs, or house temporarily displaced families for insurance companies.  

Ultimately though, it will depend on the lender and the availability of funds (assistance) available for the demographic area that you are purchasing in.Do you have a property that you are looking at?

We are looking to connect with others to build a solid foundation to our newly started company. 

You just need a very savvy real estate agent, a  lawyer, a title company and a good relationship with the lender.

To set the stage, I'm owner of a short-term rental property in the Poconos in PA and we use a property management company for bookings, maintenance/cleaning, guest management, etc.This past weekend we had a guest booking but when the guests arrived Friday evening the house had no running water, though it had been running fine earlier in the day when the Property manager (PM) was at the house to give a final check and leave the welcome packet.

The company cries the blues about having to inject money into maintaining the trees so they can make a profit.

Best of luck with your property management company!

probably a wholesale company.. get a second opinion from a local RE agent so you dont get hosed.