I have a BP member client who has purchased two oceanfront units there so far and another client of mine is scheduled to close on her first one later this month. 

Florida and Louisiana follow closely, while New Hampshire is the cheapest.

Being nearby allows you to stay hands-on—you can see, touch, and fully immerse yourself in the process.There’s a lot to learn, not just about managing rentals but also about overseeing property management companies.Handling tenants and maintenance can feel overwhelming at times, but starting with a property close to home gives you the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

The long-term moves are to get a concession to buy down the rate for good (not a 2-1 or 3-1 buy down), it's a smaller number (i.e. .25% or .5% decrease on the rate), and getting their full closing costs covered is money out of their pocket today they'll be saving that could be huge to give the buyer more money for repairs and/or furniture along with just life expenses. 

Overall, the market continued to slow with the fewest closed sales since 2016.

Since you estimate a resale value of $200-215K and renovation costs of $60-70K (although you said that's on the higher end), your margin is tight, especially considering closing costs, realtor fees, and unexpected expenses.

Do not rely on it for legal advice.

If you need help with the process, you can contact Consolidated Civil Enforcement - they have a ton of experience helping landlords through the legal process.

With rates and lending terms constantly changing, I’d love to hear from those who have recently closed or explored a blanket loan.Which lenders are offering solid terms right now?

Real estate loans to owner occupied properties where the business of the owner is closed down - or SHOULD be, and the owner needs some time to sell the property.