the best way to research a market is to go to it and drive and walk around. 

Compare that to Providence, with 5500 hotel rooms, 1700 of which are within walking distance of their arena.This has a direct impact on the City not being eligible to host NCAA and major conference sporting events.The data in this article is mind-boggling.

Another option is a 3/2 single-family home within walking distance of the beach. 

Yes I can help walk you though it if you'd like.

In the past for other rentals I have used software such as rentready which can walk you through the application process for screening tenants.

Can I make an offer on 2 properties at the same time and walk away from one that I didn't like the most?

Any input would be appreciated. don't do townhouses that's crazy. three story walk ups. don't reinvent the wheel. make them way smaller. 2 beds, 700 sq ft. check some posts I have online I have Floorplans and elevations of the triplex we build infill for Columbus Ohio 

I recommend putting in so much work that you can convince yourself that you truly want to walk this path, longerm.

People are walking away from six-figure deposits they’ve made over time.

I think you have a pretty reasonable case here to walk away without losing your EMD, especially if the seller knew about this and chose not to disclose - that alone should suffice.