For instance, Berea is a charming college town, but the combination of local taxes and less favorable price-to-rent ratios makes it less appealing for investment compared to other areas in the state.

Quote from @Kyle Carter: The comps that come from local real estate agents will be the best for this one.

I was working with a local credit union who pulled out at the last minute.

@Jeffrey Bourque Are you planning to finance this with a local bank or credit union?

Just be sure to check local regulations for Airbnbs.For long-term rentals, growing cities with strong job markets and affordable housing are ideal.

I’d suggest starting with local credit unions or community banks—they’re often more flexible with investment properties.

These are being issued by local "nonprofits" who are mass emailing landlords pretending to be section 8 tenants.

Very useful view.Curious, where are you pulling numbers for local mortgage, insurance, and tax rates?

Check with your broker and make sure this fits with your local laws.

Since you're already in Tampa, staying local for your first few deals can help you stay hands-on and learn faster.