My husband and I are in SE Florida and are thinking about selling our SFH to purchase a duplex in a very safe intercoastal community.

The NE and SE part of Gainesville you'll find lower prices properties but also some bad areas.

I don't know if this means it should be considered vacant or not, being that I'm not actually living in it, per se.

I'll share this article with you: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/10553/79631-se...Let us know if we can help as you take the next step!

And no, I don't necessarily think prices will rise per se.

so I am not "financially independent" per se..

My goal isn't to make extra money per se, but to protect myself against loss from pet damage.

An example to the contrary would be attempting to sell said real property but resorting to creating a loan, with no premeditated intention per se, in order to create the sale.  

SE Michigan has a great market, do your research and keep your eyes open.

I am an outside sales manager for a building material supplier in SE Wisconsin + my day to day consists of calling on sub contractors, GCs, and architects for items such as drywall, insulation, steel framing and acoustical grid/tile.