I would focus on population growth there’s many articles on small hidden gems in the Midwest that provide a stable labor market with a lower price point then some of the overheated sunshine states.

Are you looking for a resort location with year-round sunshine?

Given that Maryland seems to be the CA of the east (without the sunshine) I though we might have a law too but I didn't see anything.

If you go STR, make sure there is at least part of the lot that gets some sunshine.

make hey while the sun shines.. at one point in our market if you owned development dirt you were a rock star.. then 08 comes along and now your just DIRT  LOL.. my latest 23 home project will be 30 months start to finish but its will make about 2 mil on 500k of cash.. so not bad.

Make hay while the sun shines (or doesn't shine).

In Florida, I believe Florida Statute 475.43 is an attempt to prohibit wholesaling.Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us)

we became Nevada residents last year.. so we do the snow bird thing.. summer in Portland and winter in vegas 6  to 7 months there rest of the time here. 18 years of NW winters I have had my fill.. although Vegas is not that warm in the winter but at least the sun shines..  

If there are winter activities, festivals, etc going on, it's easier to market but otherwise, if you are buying in a seasonal market, make hay while the sun shines in the high season and consider off season bookings icing on the cake. 

The Earth has not received all the sunshine it will ever get.