As with any investment, the lessons learned are to just become more efficient and strategic with decision making(when to repair / replace / upgrade) and whether to do myself or utilize vendor.

You may also want a financial planner / mentor to help you think strategically about the long-game with your investments and businesses.  

With that said, investing on the fringe of such locations is a good strategic move.  

BUT..... but, but, but, strategically.

Reach out if you want to chat more, I'm a Loan originator and happy to give advice and help you strategize. thanks! 

Then I would encourage you to start strategically connecting with people in that market.

We have some great lenders you can connect with and strategize, or see what purchase price you would qualify for.

I'm a full time aircraft tech and part time realtor.

You can pull a HELOC on it and still access some of that equity to either scale or improve the property, it's not as if that money disappears, you just have to strategize how to use it. 

Geographically it is strategically positioned reaching 34 million people.... 40% greater reach than the I-4 corridor which spans from Tampa, through Lake Land, Orlando and then ending in Daytona (coast to coast).