The HOA fees, small equity growth, and having someone be able to tell you what to do kind of turned me away from looking that direction. 

Ensure you collect a proper security deposit (typically one month's rent in Florida) to cover potential damages.Your plan to increase rent next year makes sense given rising costs (taxes, insurance, and maintenance).

I know that a QOF can invest directly in real estate, but I’m particularly interested in the QOZB structure, since it allows for active business operations and working capital flexibility.For those who have set up a QOZB:How did you structure it in relation to your QOF?

Security deposits were more then $5k.

Potential Marketing StrategiesShould I directly contact insurance companies to be added to their approved rental property lists?

To answer your question directly: a person should apply (whatever that means in your process) before being asked to screen.

Won't be using them again on the next flip that's for sure. are you working directly with them or is this a broker who acts as a correspondent lender?

You can't charge extra pet rent or even a pet deposit because it's legally not considered a pet.

As you may have found in your search, there are lenders that will lend up to 80% of the appraised value on investment properties and don't require an appraisal.Let me know if you'd like me to point you in the right direction.

However, I had to subordinate the sellers note to 2nd position (hint: set up that language in advance to streamline the process, if that's the direction you're going to go).Since the ARV was high enough, and the potential income would support the mortgage and expenses, it all worked out.