It would be helpful to know if you are talking about turn-key properties, or value-add properties.

I’ve been looking at data on rental properties in Destin and Panama City Beach, and certain amenities seem to drive higher booking rates.

Because he/she will know the process of buying / selling properties so they can be better suited to ask you the right questions.For example, since I acquired properties in the past, I know the ask clients if they got a home inspection/appraisal / survey prior to closing on the property.

If the property is paid in cash and later a mortgage is secured does it impact the UBIT question above ?    

The tax advantages of buying/holding gas stations are pretty great.Many of the components of gas stations including pumps, tanks, external parking areas, and other equipment are classified as either 5 or 15 year property so you can bonus depreciate a lot of it (minus the land value) and get significant deductions in year 1.With the current bonus depreciation rate at 60%, a $1 million gas station acquisition could still lead to $100K+ in year 1 deductions depending on the specifics of your deal.

so, this evening as i spoke to my wife about a property i have found that i am interested in.

I had properties i own through our lake county and porter county.

If you are sitting on the "fence" waiting to purchase a property because you don't know which candidate will get elected or which "political party" will be more favorable to your purchasing decision, consider the graphs provided below. 

The "good news" is I think there are some tailwinds behind rental properties coming int he next 1-4 years.

Virtually every property we purchase has a value add and virtually all the value adds have been the boring rehab.