Great schools are nearby as well.

Don't see how a second opportunity can be had without saving and stockpiling returns, which are minimal, on the first. 

I'm a homeowner but not currently investing, and my wife and I are thinking about buying a nearby property that would be our primary residence.

However, after speaking with a couple agents who represented nearby listings, my understanding is the home could fetch a $215-220k ARV as a flip (would require stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, custom finishes, etc.).

Walk to the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean or numerous boutiques nearby.

St Petersburg and the beaches nearby are great for that. 

I like when I go into a town to stop into a diner or hardware store in a nearby town find out who owns a lot of properties in town, and then call and talk to that person. 

That’s pretty well my mentality at the moment, stockpile the cash.

We have a lockbox nearby for the tenants if they get locked out but it's 2021, I hoping there is a more "modern" solution. 

Or recommend any nearby areas?