Credit scores are tricky because there could be items like medical debt or student loan debt that weighs the score down. 

Here’s a recap of key points.Slower growth in prices and rents: Florida is expected to experience slower appreciation or even declines, affecting short-term returns for investors.Affordability challenges: While affordability remains an issue, the primary concerns are rising expenses and increased supply.Increase in new inventory: Florida is experiencing a significant rise in new housing inventory, contributing to oversupply.

OP Lincoln is a great town since it is the state capitol, lots of government income, home of UNL, lots of medical etc.  

I'm not looking to scale tremendously, just looking to have enough passive income once the rental properties are paid off that my fiance and I can leave our jobs in the automotive business and find something less stressful and more fulfilling, live a little slower, and travel more.

You are one car breakdown or medical bill away from paying rent since you don't have an emergency savings.  

The trick is asking them what happened, usually it is for medical which I get. 

Economists note that job growth in typically underreported industries fell by 42,000 compared to the 6-month average, suggesting August’s numbers may understate actual gains.Key Employment GainsConstruction: +34,000 jobs, driven by heavy civil engineering and nonresidential trade contractors.Healthcare: +31,000 jobs, though slower than the past year's monthly average of 60,000.Social Assistance: +13,000 jobs, with more modest growth compared to previous months.Other growing sectors include financial activities, wholesale trade, and government (+24,000 jobs).Job Losses and Sector StrugglesManufacturing: -24,000 jobs.Retail: -11,100 jobs.Temporary help employment continues to shrink, reflecting business uncertainty.Wage and Fed Policy ImplicationsWages rose by 0.4% in August, up 3.8% year-over-year, supporting a cautious approach by the Federal Reserve on deeper rate cuts.

My main concern on the outer islands is medical and infrastructure.

Whether the property manager charges to file the eviction (we do not) is a separate issue- a professional management company should file the eviction for you.Regarding the arrears rent, again, a professional manager should be letting you know that the renter has fallen behind and why (did they have a medical emergency? 

It is a slower way to get started, but 7 years later I am doing well.