My down payment would be around 30-40%.

I would also love to connect with other investors in the area and hopefully get to exchange some ideas.

If you had a paid off rental house, and others with mortgages, and you wanted to use the equity in the paid off rental for a cash offer on another property, how would one do that if the DTI ratio doesn't work due to having too much credit utilization with the addition of the new loan.

In Seattle you would be stuck and not a dang thing you can do about it.Since you appear to have the option, tell her she's gotta go.

When you are looking at your first, my advice would be that if the fluctuations between seasons are too hard to comp in an obvious way, it might not be the best first one to try.

Might be same case with your sellers.

I believe there’s a middle ground to be found, and I remain hopeful for the next three to five years.Has anyone heard from friends, family, or fellow investors expressing concerns that Florida is becoming a risky place, causing them to shy away from buying?

Florida, happy to be a connection down here. 

Five designs are under consideration, including two that would be built on the Gulf Coast in Mobile.Austal's candidate is closely based on the aluminum trimaran Littoral Combat Ship it builds on the Mobile waterfront.

Even in Florida we have AOP coverage at $1,000, $2,500, etc.I would be looking to another insurer if they are forcing you into a percentage on the AOP deductible.