It's not the same sleepy town it was 20 years ago with respect to home prices though - at least in key areas.  

This is a key area to build as you grow in real estate.

Newbie here-My husband and I are seeking out properties in the Sarasota/Siesta Key area.

I think this area is one that will continue to appreciate, especially in key areas like Louisville, Indianapolis, Des Moines, etc and we have gotten some awesome returns in these spots.Happy to help with any and all questions you might have as I am sure others here are as well :)

Also, what are key areas to update for the most value?

I am not looking for roommates though, and would be fine with a smaller place because of this. 1bdr/1ba isn't even out of the question, particularly if it hits all the other key areas.

However, I am not as concerned with crime or the quality of tenants (to a degree) at this time, as I am with ensuring the property is up to code and isn't going to land me in some kind of hot water with the municipality (particularly as the area transitions through the Target Neighborhood Plan).Just received the report back on a property I am pursuing, and would like to know potential shortfalls of some of these items that may or may not be a big deal.  1980s era build with the following items of interest:- Lacking 1A10-BC extinguishers, water heaters lacking drip tubes and seismic straps, windows blocked by stored items preventing egress, common area doors not self-closing or fire rated, cleaning/sealing water staining in various areas, other key areas with wood rot/staining as viewed from crawl space, roof missing some shingles (age unknown), birds in attic (missing some grates), vapor barrier to thin/missing in crawl space, exterior damp proofing damaged. 

INdustyr may be down but some key areas are donig very well.

We have a truck and a dog and when we were looking for a rental in a few key areas of South Florida we were most often blown out by the HOA restrictions be it "no trucks allowed" or the landlord saying "no pets." 

But if you are asking these questions, it might benefit you to spend an entire weekend doing nothing but educating yourself in some key areas.