Rates were still low, we ended up getting 3.0% on our loan.

Because they are locked into low APR.

HOA and insurance costs as low as possible.Can you suggest a few good cities in the FL with lower vacancy rates and close to nature/activities?

Good evening,I purchased a townhome in Houston, Texas in August 2020, locked in at a 3% rate with a low 5% down payment on a conventional loan for $284k. 

Financially, that might not make sense since I have a low rate but peace of mind has a value too....

7% pref with 70% leverage seems screaming low return for the risk you are taking on.

If you pay them diret and hint to them the comps you suggest because you're trying to come in lower, then they are more likely to do that.To me, I would just use a couple of low end sold comps and call it a day. 

I have purchased multiple audible books such as Real Estate by the Numbers, Start with Strategy, The Book for Rental Property, The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money Down, and now I am reading Finding and Funding Great Deals.

.- **Inventory**: Inventory is slightly trending upward, but it's still at historically low levels.

This low inventory will continue to pressure up rents.We saw a similar slight slowdown in the sales market.Sales - Months of SupplyIn September, our target property profile has a supply of 1.5 months.