Also, some differ here but I'm a proponent of never buying something never seen.

You can probably find good deals in Tampa right now, but I'd be very strategic about where you buy and yes, insurance and taxes can be killer, but there are plenty of investors there and for good reason. 

Quote from @David Lambert: Hey David, I have experience managing properties for my mentor before going out and buying my first one.

Quote from @Kaushik Sarkar: Hi,I am looking to invest first time with a turnkey developer,  who is buying the land and building a multi unit commercial retail center and some apartments.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

It’s not a place where you can just buy anywhere and expect success.

The best strategy is to buy properties that need fixed up with hard money/HELOC, fix them up, the refi out to pay back your HELOC/hard money.

You magically get the seller to cover every single closing cost (A $12k gift, or a trick to get you to buy their problem.).

I am new to the game with 1 property leased to section 8 under my belt and was about to buy another.

We would buy this house all cash.