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.

The towns that we know well and have local insights in. 

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.

Quote from @Dan Hertler: I currently manage some of my out of state rentals, but would like to create my own property management business locally in New York (Long Island).