Could any of you guide me on what I should do initially to secure financing?

And if a property is owner occupied, how can you secure a loan with a hard money lender not being able to view the home to estimate repairs?

Securing quotes for properties in flood zones can be challenging and time-consuming (especially if vacant), so it’s unlikely you could have done it quickly.

If there is more demand than supply, this will be the outcome in desirable areas. 

This imbalance intensifies buyer competition, driving up home prices as demand outstrips supply.2.

You'll need documentation of the cost to replace, hopefully, pictures from your cleaning team before their arrival, an owner's closet with lock for supplies, and limit the number of supplies you provide to a determined number.

Its been a wild ride though doing all this through massive inflation and supply chain issue and Covid..  

Some lenders offer creative solutions, like a cross-collateralized loan, where they use your existing equity as security without refinancing the duplex.Another idea is partnering with private lenders or exploring a second-position mortgage, depending on your lender's terms.

Ensure you collect a proper security deposit (typically one month's rent in Florida) to cover potential damages.Your plan to increase rent next year makes sense given rising costs (taxes, insurance, and maintenance).

Secure liability insurance to protect against lawsuits or property-related claims.