But I haven't done anything through auctions yet, as I have not purchased through an auction up to this point. 

If you do decide to start flipping homes- as a new investor you can either self finance with all cash, or you can contact a commercial lender like myself and expect terms to be 75-80% of the purchase price with 100% of the rehab financed through a draw.

Over time your Tampa investment will start to cash flow.

I don’t know of any camps of people more entrenched than the “cash flow is all that matters” and the “you must use leverage” people. 

When we did the walk through guess who they asked questions to? 

I'd be happy to talk through the strengths and weaknesses with you.

If your goal is to have a cash flowing portfolio of rentals. 

When does the cash flow start? 

Jackson County TDR is working hard to position our area as a year-round destination, and it is catching on, but I wouldn't count on significant, year-round cash flow from a vacation rental here.

There isn't enough cash flow in these deals to pay the mortgage, monthly expenses and the HELOC that I'm trying to leverage against.