E.g. if you're buying $40-150K houses, out of state... your traveling costs alone would eat into any potential profits you will make. 

You have to eat that buy time on these HMLs.

They eat what they find.

Duplexes are not passive income, and one major repair will eat your entire year's cashflow. 

Should I just rent for a year (or 6 months) in St pete and see what areas I like and see how I like it in general or eat my tax bill for 2023, be able to show more income and try to buy something in st pete?

Seems like it would eat into your bottom line.

This doesn't cap the number of STRs, but would eat in to the potential cash flow a buyer could get from a short-term rental. 

@Vi Prichwell, not sure what are your taxes and insurance, but I'm guessing that eats into your remaining rent pretty well...If you are fearful of the rental market and don't want to continue being landlords, go ahead and sell. 

Here are some considerations for both options to help you make a more informed decision:Option 1: Sell the HousePros:Immediate liquidity: Selling the house can provide you with a lump sum of money immediately.Eliminate financial strain: If the property has been a financial burden, selling it could relieve you of the ongoing stress and financial obligations.Capital gains: Depending on how long you've owned the property and the real estate market conditions, you might realize significant capital gains from the sale.Cons:Capital Gains Tax: If the property has appreciated in value since you bought it, you could be liable for capital gains tax, which could eat into your profits.Loss of potential future appreciation: Real estate generally appreciates over time.

Turnover costs $$$...sometimes a lot of $$....and can eat that bump in rent for a LONG time.