Follow bonus depreciation rules.

Another bonus of having an agent represent you is that they will help you prepare your offer and will deal with most of the paperwork (You'll just have to review and sign).

I was very interested many years ago but another career came into play.

If you buy good deals consistently in every market and play the get rich slow scheme, nothing will stop you over the long run.

Find people who work the territory you want to play in.A broker who routinely sells 200 to 300 unit properties is probably not the right broker if you are looking 20 to 50 unit deals.

NOI/CAP rates are definitely exciting to play around with to work the deal.

Do I make a play for all 3 right off the bat? 

Employers all over the country are desparate for employees- even restaurants are paying signing bonuses for wait staff.

Local relationships are good, but conventional lenders have the same line of products...the creative lenders will have a very different portfolio of products...the product you need may not be offered by local lenders in your area.Lenders have zero influence on the deal itself outside of what an independent appraiser/inspector relays to them...local knowledge of markets is not in play at all.

From here I would say that you should play it safe and Invest in something close to home and a few years from now if you move to Florida bring your Cash to get the best Deal.