I, too, am in Tampa and I've been a lender/banker and a Real Estate investor in the market since 1996.

I would choose the strategy that best fits your strengths (unfair advantages) and what the market in your area demands.

As far as investing in the short term I feel investing close to home (50 mile radius) is the best option because you have a superior advantage by knowing your market.

Seller has decided to walk with our EM and put the house back on the market.

Do you have a team built in any other markets?

In fact, just finished one that I have yet to put on the market. 

Are you looking for guide and advise of an expert on the market or a pass through agen?

Rented at $3,215 to a Section 8 Long-Term Tenant instead of a Long-Term Market Tenants for $2,400.

Hopefully we will be managing a handful of other STRs in the same market in the future.

I tried attending one in my local market a couple of times but felt like I was in some hotel ballroom being pitched on how the 12 year-old kid up in front would teach us all how to run to the back of the room to swipe $10K on our AMEX for the secrets of real estate investing.