They do pretty heavy marketing.

Always gotta be studying the market, studying your competitors, and improving your homes to exceed the rapidly increasing competition.

You don’t want to get caught below market when your city/state decides to implement rent control mid-lease and trap you below market forever. 4) I’ve never raised rent less than $25 (already at or above market.) or $50-100 (5%) if even slightly below market.

Appraisals aren't guarantees of market value, so unless you can prove some kind of fraud here you're going to be out of luck.

Leveraging Ed's local market expertise, we quickly assessed the property's potential.

Depending on Loss History, how long the lapses was, use of buildings, age of building and updates, etc. there may be a Standard Market. 

Whats a better market demand in your area  apts or houses?

A good investor friendly lender & agent will certainly help + groups like this and local REIA groups with opportunities to meet in person or on social media and network about off market opportunities too!

I’ve recently started exploring real estate investing as a path to financial freedom and am interested in the South Florida market.

Look at their marketing strategy.