However prices have risen in the last couple of years and numbers don't look as good for new market entrants.I would not be able to help with regards to "landlord and owner-friendly laws" but I chose to use a property management with one of the owners being a lawyer in addition to real estate broker.You might want to check them out at ELDAMS.com.

However, can I get #2 and #3 off of a company like Legal Zoom or do I need to get a FL lawyer involved?

Thanks to everyone for their input, sounds like the best idea is to get a lawyer who can negotiate for a flat fee if thats even possible.

I don't think that would be allowed under a FHA mortgage (I don't know all the ins and outs of FHA), unless you are going to also live there.Should you decide to go forward (and I hope you think long and hard before you do) you should absolutely have YOUR lawyer draw something up.

A lawyer once told us that you can fill out a form with the IRS to forgive them the debt which becomes taxable income for them, another feel good tactic.For small claims you would need to find them, but for move out paperwork you can mail it to the rental address if they don't provide a forwarding address. 

You also need to have a lawyer put into contract with the city that you'd have first right to make good and repair the issues needing to be addressed. 

He agrees to XXXX (fill in the blank, go see lawyer, get home health aid, get cleaning person etc) and never follows through with anything.  

Do you guys use lawyers when investing in out of state properties to go over contact ?

Probably lawyer time. 

Thanks,Nate I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advice, but there's a broad consensus that they aren't counting the number of total awake hours in the home, they are counting the number of nights your head is asleep on a pillow in that home, and >50% makes it a primary residence. 4 out of 7 nights a week would seem to tick that box.