The area had appreciated substantially in a short amount of time.

., focusing on markets with strong demand or finding value-add opportunities) can yield long-term wealth.It really comes down to your goals.

The NPV benefit of shielding income will be substantial 10 yrs down the line. 

I would also question how the house gained 55k in equity, or ~24% in 2 years when interest rates rose and demand fell.

There is nothing about how long you need to occupy the property for.So unless our lender puts a demand on us I see no problems legally in occupying each property for any amount of time to fulfill the requirement, then rinse and repeating this process up to our full entitlements, so long as the lender is willing to keep giving us loans.

Supply & DemandUnlike financial markets, real estate prices and rents are driven by supply and demand.

The tenant demanded the Sunday night emergency service, which i declined and TOLD her (not asked) that the furnice guy will be there on Monday morning.

Yes, taxes and insurance are higher, but Tampa has strong rental demand, and you can still find properties in growing areas just outside the city where cash flow is realistic.

Flipping with someone experienced can be invaluable, especially when you’re new to navigating contractors and timelines.Researching Out-of-State Markets: For a duplex, consider markets like Phoenix or San Antonio - investor-friendly with strong rental demand.

I don't know the city well, but seems to be light on demand drivers other than Baylor University.