I'm under the impression I'll get a worse interest rate, but 5% down and other tax incentives make it look like an attractive option. 

Specifically. places where the millennials are attracted to are interesting as they are becoming the biggest renter and homebuyer group(Note: Be careful with 'historical' data.

This combined with a very proactive Mayor who seeks initiatives that encourage economic growth have really become attractive to those investing in Pittsburgh. 

It’s more attractive regarding the PMI. 

However, fair housing laws as interpreted by the California courts make the process a little more complicated.Fair Housing FoulThe Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act prevent landlords from discriminating between would-be tenants on the grounds of their sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, source of income, disability or medical condition.

I wonder wether it would attract more out of state investors to Jacksonville, as good publicity is more important then anything else.

The main reason for this is that you do not want to skew the attractiveness of an investment.

25yrs notes with 13percent is attractive to note buyers?

I'd like to have a VR in an area that is attractive year round to provide rental cash flow.  

This is because you want to cast the widest net to attract more leads.