@Tom ParrisTom, my friend and I are looking to purchase a duplex in St Pete.

Hard to claim I forgot to do it since I've referred a few other people since (and a friend of mine who I referred bought a house through them).

I would discourage you from buying condos as they’re typically really High in HOA fees which is completely outside your control (major negative) and usually not investor friendly.

My friend is a real estate developer who has successfully bought, renovated and sold/rented out a few small apartment buildings in the area (I live in the Bay Area so there are plenty of 4-8 unit buildings).  

People InvolvedThe friend (Alfonso) is a born-and-raised Canadian citizen and resides there 100% of the year.

Are you looking at SFH and rent out rooms to friends or go the house hacking MFH route?

A friend recommended a local finance company that appraised my home at 185k and is in the process of refinancing for 140k. 

Not really for making big bucks, but more for the experience and understanding of the buying and selling process while also helping out a friend here and there.I see the logic of not trying to do too many things at once though.

To keep legislators from intervening; to prevent legislation investors will find undesirable.With so many people out there "doing it wrong" and "learning from their mistakes", a point is reached where legislators must step in to protect those who are being hurt: lenders and other money investors as well as tenants and property owners / buyers.Want to curb further tenant-friendly ordinances and other legislation which hurts investors? 

I just heard from a friend's realtor that single family houses, in the western suburbs, that are priced over $500K on the MLS are slowing down.