If you get RE brokerage license (which might be more difficult to obtain depending on your state requirements) then you can pocket much larger commission check but it may also come with added liability and costs.  

If a really qualified tenant comes along, willing to make an exception with a larger security deposit. 

In Louisville, I've got the following averages across 30 units:1BR - $688/room2BR - $418/room3BR - $337/roomEven if you can convert two 1BR units into a larger 2 or 3 bedroom unit it doesn't look like you'd be doing yourself a favor (unless Tampa is way different than KY for some reason).I'll take higher turnover in a higher demand area over lower turnover in a lower demand area all day.

The problem with the high crime areas is that the quality tenants tend not to live there they have choices.

They will have the choice of manually entering each month's payment or they can set up recurring payments.

I've picked up several of these deals & closed them over the last few months.One could not be closed, and they faced the choice of a HML or losing their EMD

Educate yourself in larger apartments, and find an opportunity to invest with others as a passive investor first. 

Success is a process, failure is a choice

Success is a process, failure is a choice

Right now I have 2 opportunities to work for a larger corporation where my pay will increase without a doubt to 66k.