It really helps for any newbie in the RE to gain additional perspective with the detail you provided.

Additionally, you stated that you read Rich Dad Poor Dad, ask yourself if you think it is the best strategy to buy a primary residence, at market value ("not a killer deal"), live in it for a few years and then hope that you will be able to rent it out for more than your mortgage (and still cover CAPEX, taxes, insurance, property management, vacancy, legal fees, evictions.....etc) Also, keep in mind that you can buy up to a 4 plex with a VA loan (as long as you occupy one of the units for a few years). 

I work full time and plan to continue to do so but would like to add additional streams of "passive" income. 

. * if I decide to go this route, I would need a realtor who 1) knows Tampa well, 2) who works with investors, 3) has lots of hustle and is responsive, but also has a HIGH level of integrity, 4) who listens well and doesn't waste their client's time showing them properties they know are higher than the client's price range, AND 5) has patience to walk a client through a deal where the client has an extremely demanding job.

Also keep in mind most people that are boasting their rate of returns don't seem to be saying if the properties are Class A, B, C, or D.One of the things that I do is look at my portfolio as a whole, I have brand new construction in Class A areas, in addition to Class B, and Class C properties.

(I've always thought that they couldn't give value to unpermitted additions.)  3.  

Each dwelling has variables to consider such as light exposure, reflection/absorption, finishes & materials in addition to the style that best compliments the architecture. 

I have already performed my cash flow analysis and intend on walking inside and outside of the properties in the next 10 days. 

And if the property you purchase is depreciable, you may end up sheltering additional income too.

I imagine that the length increases by some amount, but I doubt it would be a full year since many tenants feel fine riding out a month-to-month lease until they decide to leave.Do the downsides (forfeit of owner ability to increase rents after the year and potential to get stuck with a trouble tenant constantly calling for minor repairs) compensate for whatever this additional length of stay is?