What insurance firm do you recommend in the tampa bay area?

Insurance tends to be state specific.  

Just taxes and insurance and 15% equity plus an exit already mapped out for him/her. 

Get a survey if not standard lot and block and definitely get title insurance. 

As your own story confirmed, that information can be, and has been, stolen from the government agencies, credit bureaus, insurers, retailers, medical providers etc. 

Having a pregnant wife and a failed business, I went back to Auto Sales which I did before I was a GC.

Basically, if you run all your numbers - Rent MINUS mortgage, property tax, insurance, property management fees, listing fees, take into account vacancies, repairs, cap ex, (HOA fees, Utilities, lawn/snow care) and you come away with a good chunk of cashflow, then its a good buy.

You'll have no car payment, no gas payment, no auto insurance payment, won't need to worry about spending money on dates as you won't be having any, and given the 29 mile commute each way, you can cancel your gym membership if you have one.

I’d ask a NC title company if it will cause any issues.....getting title insurance for a clear title is all that really matters. 

Have a strong math and economics background and am a licensed insurance broker and real estate agent.