If there is a serious trend toward the negative, or the town seems to be drying up and/or becoming crime infested, that would scare me away.

Foreclosures are drying up in this area and the deals are very few and far between.

The oil based primer should only be used if you can't spray, bc oil dries a lot slower and therefore has fewer brush marks. 

I bet you and @Michael Baum really use some hair/beard products!

Stop listening to the young people that started investing three years ago and instead look for the grey-haired investors with 30+ years under their belt.

You should still advertise on the same sites, screen the same way, require a deposit, have a strong long-term lease agreement, etc.Second, I've seen people make a killing renting to traveling nurses, only to have the demand dry up.

Orlando has the added distinction of sitting high and dry in the middle of the state, about 50 ft above sea level and well away from the worst of any hurricane damage. 

This is five minutes to mix up and apply some Durham's Water Putty that costs ten bucks a can, then sanding after it dries and a touch-up coat of spray paint.

@Ezra Simon Another thing you may want to consider is try to find a few to wholesale just by networking with family and friends and anyone who will listen that you buy houses ..your church , your dentist, your dr.. I

Real estate transactions in Florida are pretty cut and dry, and I think wanting to invest in the Tampa area is a good choice.