You might want to stay on the STR, for now, to get your feet wet. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful we have our STR and will eventually add one or two others, but my advice would be to start with a long term rental, get your feet wet and grow from there.

It doesnt, and hasnt for a long time but my days of trying to waste my breath in efforts of getting others to not only see the errors in the law (cough, “codes”) but the overarching implications and control which some BS municipality will have over what they believe to be their “private property” by any definition i can find, is not. 

Which is why they have to spend so much money on fancy websites and charming salespeople who know what to say to get you hard or wet over the phone. 

Kinda wet behind the ears so any info will help.  

(never flooded (yet), ZERO chance of home flooding (raised elevation), Shop might get a wet floor.

There was, however, moss/algae growing on two of the stair treads which made them slippery when wet.

I am based in Pensacola, FL and looking to purchase a duplex for the purpose of house hacking to get my feet wet in the REI game.

Also I am open to either start doing wholesaling too if that gets my feet wet and start bring in some cash.

Right now I'm just getting the the edge of the water to get my feet wet so I'm unsure of which route I'd like to go just yet.