This is my first investment, and I've learned a lot from this experience so far, and I'm ready to keep moving forward with new projects.I am interested in investing locally in Denton County and the surrounding counties.

Local real estate broker How did you finance this deal?

Welcome to BP~ I want to encourage you to look in your local area.  

Don't be discouraged by the lower returns—house hacking is often about long-term wealth-building, and your primary residence can offset some of those mediocre numbers.Make sure you're accounting for local trends and realistic rents—sometimes expected rent growth is overly optimistic, or costs like repairs might be underestimated.

Sometimes the foreclosure “rescuer” charges the borrower high 'service fees' up front and then disappears with the money without providing the promised service. .Each state has it's own foreclosure rescue/avoidance/solicitation laws.

I'd consider having a conversation with a local agent to see how the pre-fab vs self built will affect your property value.

I’m a local real estate broker with Keller Williams, and I love helping investors find great opportunities in the area.

Who is local in Miami, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Sarasota and can speak to the market down there? 

I wouldn't touch anything outside the urban core. if your strategy is to buy existing and old I'd recommend not to. as a newer investor depending on your liquidity look at build to rent development. building investment properties below market value by 25% and refinancing out of it to do it again. the urban core has tax abatements as well that are 15 years right now you can apply for. that means that taxes will be around $600 to $800 per year. there's cash Flow but the existing inventory market dried up a few years ago in the urban core. local realtors are going to push you to the trash areas like hilltop, south linden, etc because it's the only place numbers work. columbus is great, but remember a tenant who pays $1800 a month is different than a tenant who pays $900 a month. let me know if I can help any other way! 

I would suggest setting "instabook" to "off", allowing one of the more flexible cancelation options, and having a minimum stay in line with your local ordinances.