Tampa for example, the most desirable STR's are also very desirable to owner occupants (near beaches, near downtown, etc). 

I desire to begin investing asap so I started the process of  learning as much as I can by reading and watching videos.

Look for desirable areas and live just outside of it.

Property ClassProperties are categorized by class, impacting their quality, condition, and investment profile:Class A: High-end, newly built, prime locations, attractive to institutional investors.Class B: Good quality, older than Class A, with minor deferred maintenance.Class C: Older properties with dated amenities, but value-add opportunities exist.Class D: Distressed properties in less desirable locations with high risks but potential for significant improvement.4.

If you ever have the desire to sell please let me know, Best of luck! 

Not fully rented, but in a highly desirable location? 

I’m a 41-year-old father of six who loves the Lord and is driven by a desire to build a better future for my family through real estate.I own a small tile installation business, am a certified insurance agent, and am currently in the process of obtaining my real estate license.

It seems you and your husband have the ability to make a property more desirable and I would try to stay local for the same reasons you listed. 

. - Property type (single-family homes, duplexes, or small multifamily)- Min/max square footage or number of bedrooms and bathrooms- Desired cash flow or ROI metrics to ensure profitability- Property Condition (turnkey, light cosmetic fixes, or heavy rehab)- Neighborhood type (A/B-class areas for appreciation vs.

After viewing a few potential multi-family homes, we realized they were not in desirable locations or needed large rehab projects.