right, @Nancy Bachety when renting you don't own, so you're not able to gain from depreciation or appreciation.

So in this case, the down payment is my giant to conquer. 

Perhaps you should take the fact that you are not able to find a traditional lender as a sign that you are not quite ready to start your investment in RE?

With that being said, we were not able to complete the transaction.

Prices can be lower than Gainesville but unless your looking at one of the new construction neighborhoods you’ve got slim pickings especially if your searching only the MLS and not able to go driving for dollars.

Then another portfolio lender told me they were not able to fund manufactured home...

I've seen typical numbers of 1%-2% higher than your current rate.What HELOCs are designed for is to be a giant credit card. 

If you sell and find yourself not able to find the right deal, you may regret it and it is something that you cannot redo... on the other hand if you rent it for now, you can always move on from the property later!  

Figured it was a glitch in putting out the new version, which I was not able to find again.

Working with agents in all of these Markets and I am not able to find a pool house in Destin a block off.