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..??

I served in the military for 6 years.

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

Investment Info:

Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

Beautiful all brick house on .25 acre lot. I lived in the house for a couple years and moved to my next.

We are a retired military couple looking to get into buying rental properties.

Or alternatively your agent can connect you with a lender that offers a special product like a rehab loan (not all do) or is better with underwriting self employed individuals.

I also don't do the "landlord special" where everything goes a single color (trim, walls, light switches, outlets, ceilings).