What about the ridges and starter courses, just regular shingles or special ones.Any water/freeze protection at the drip edge by both(???)

I plan on bumping them, definitely not lowering them.Mine by default are automatically high so that I don't get blind sided with a low price for a 3 day weekend or special event.Once I review them I lower them to MY normal high levels.

You want your weighted risk return (current return - risk free rate of return) - which if rates go up, govt bond yields go up which means your returns should adjust accordingly.

Pre-approval letter with a lender will be great specially if you are looking to buy distress properties and asking for a superstar agent. 

@Joshua PoitrasYour profile indicates that you are an agent, you likely want to work with a CPA who understands deductions available to real estate agents.MLS Access fees, E&O insurance, Home office, Mileage are some of the deductions available to agents.Below are some tips to find a Local CPA that specializes in real estate1) Attend a Local REIA / Real Estate meetup and see who other investors are using as a CPA2) Network with other investors from your City/State that you find on bigger pockets and see who they use as a CPA3) Look for CPA's with good google/yelp reviews where 'real estate' is mentioned in the review.4) Verify that your CPA is licensed.

Maybe get a mentor from the REI groupBuild a team in that area (real estate agent that specializes in investment RE and is an investor themselves, lender, title company, contractors, property manager)Get on wholesalers listsSet up an auto search list with your agentStart analyzing dealsMake offersBuy a property and repeatHappy Investing!

Potential Special Circumstances..??

Can anyone recommend an agent in Florida who specializes in short term rentals?  

Including cash, stocks, bonds, etc.

There might be a 10% chance an escrow company could hold the money for 1 or 2 big repairs until a licensed and bonded company submitted bills for the repairs to be reimbursed and the extra returned to the seller.