Both communities would be great to live in, but as the other commenters mentioned investing for appreciation is an ill advised strategy, in addition you should be extra careful when investing in condos and townhomes as HOA fees and special assessments can quickly push you into the red and kill your NOI 

Unfortunately, you are chasing a red herring.  

They are very small players, so maybe they are out of money to loan me, but other mortgage business said this would have been an easy refi.  

About a month later when I drove by, the city had red tagged it and shut him down. 

Advent Health just recently took over Florida Hospital and is in the process of improving service and renovating, so coupled with West Marion and Ocala Regional there is a good demand for doctor's and nurses which UF just keeps pumping out every year :) As for manufacturing, E-One (Fire and Emergency equipment) is still a big player in town, Signature Brands has a presence (Betty Crocker).

Ensuring that GC's are showing up, getting ample work done in a timely manner, and working according to your expected quality is important, but you may run in to red tape with the city and/or utility companies as well.

Just spent $3,400 on a gas leak at a property this month so I’m in the red for Feb. 

Local, so I don't have to deal with the red tape they have for foreigners)As for alternative financing, there are but they are double what I could get from a bank.

Each wrong move will be a red flag for u in evaluating the next 100 properties.

While they don't have all of the retail type stuff of the big players, they can legally buy and sell real estate (check local laws) for clients.