So choice is staying stock market and making 15%-20% or buying property and MAYBE breaking even. 

Since you're already in Tampa, staying local for your first few deals can help you stay hands-on and learn faster.

Nomad sent emails telling the renters to move out (I was fine if the renters stayed).

Quote from @Johnny Lynum: Quote from @Billy Smith: I like SFH in the A-B area rent it you do the  upkeep  doing as much as possible your self to help max your rent out .I like to pay down the note as fast as possible .If in a C-D area I would flip the SFH wash your hands of it.SFH are generally easier to unload if you get in a cash crunch, I like staying in the first time home buyers level of a SFH  keeping it in a hot zone .If I were a BIG fish I would do deals at various level's of course after  doing the home work . 

I agree that efficiency is a huge part of that equation, and the more efficient the PMC, the more they can stay profitable with lower fee structures.  

Just personally, I would never do an absentee landlord kinda thing....Too many moving parts, too much to go wrong and cuts into your profit big-time....Sentimental value is one thing, but not if you end up hating the house down the road.....Stay local, plenty of opportunities in good ole AZ.....

This setup ensures every project stays on schedule and within budget, which is huge in a market where timing is everything.3.

I'd stay on platform.

The original six month tenant I had extended the lease 9 times and stayed a total of 5 years, paying me about $15k over market rent annually.  

@Scott Trench - have you considered investing in short term rentals, materially participating, and having the average stay be less than 7 days?