Multi-family properties typically draw transient tenants, singles or couples without children, who stay only 1–2 years and cause moderate to serious damages.

Quote from @Ana Mills: The high quotes for the electricians will be way cheaper than having your handyman do it and it causing damage, causing a fire, or even worse causing a fire later when someone is living there and that person/persons getting hurt because of the work being done by an unlicensed worker doing the work. 

I was born and raised there, so I am very familiar with flood and wind damage from hurricanes.

We decided hurricane lane FL was a great place to build metropolis and than cry every time it's damaged.

Dress Barn & Radio Shack...what??

To me the biggest issue with out of state investing and long term rentals is that you have to deal with property damages and/or evictions. 

We have had a lot construction work recently and all of the people doing the work are Hispanic, don't speak English, due to hurricane damage. 

Some damage from WDI, which seller will have to address this before close.Seller is paying all closing costs, survey & title, they did a rate buy down to 5.49%, and a year warranty. 

I see some good info about down payments being bigger, buyer damages the house then defaults, etc.. 

Sounds like an unreasonable seller and the most likely reason for them not wanting an offer with a financing contingency is the property is in too rough shape to get financing on it (structural damage, fire damage, etc.) or won’t appraise anywhere near asking price.