I'm in Orlando and active in residential real estate as a Realtor® and also serve on the board of CFRI, the local chapter of the National REIA.

I'd recommend speaking with local specialists in your target market to look at multiple investment options side-to-side.Lastly, some of my clients have been encouraged to stay away from HELOCs unless they expect a lump sum (inheritance, sale of other asset, bonus, etc.) to pay off the HELOC in the next year or 2. 

If you prefer to stay local and build equity, house hacking a duplex or triplex in Fort Lauderdale could work, especially if you can add an STR component to boost income.

Your local county/city has most likely adopted the international building code as most do.  

There are people located all over who could help you locally. 

I think their logic was that a family with 12 people (parents and 10 boy children) would have difficulty finding a suitable house with say 6 bedrooms.In addition to the Federal guideline, some local ordinances address occupants both tenants and owners. 

I point them to the local watersports rental company that drops boats and ski's right at the local marina.

But if this is a one-off, it's probably better to pay a local co-host who already has the local connections.Talk to @J.

Reach out if you want to discuss, I can get you connected with a great local investor friendly agent!

Quote from @John Paul Palace: Our plan was to invest locally, however our market here is tough.