I also know its hard to find a good duplex or 3-4 unit but that does offer a good way to occupy a unit and still receive rents to offset the mortgage payment.

From the asset protection perspective having the debt on the rentals and owning your primary in FL has some advantages that many states do not offer wish my home state had this.  

Your post didn't sound like it came from a landlord with 25 years of experience, so I was pointing to the basics hoping it would motivate you to do some research.A quick Google search revealed numerous NJ banks that offer the convenience of opening accounts online.

Him & his team started and finished the job in one day.

Hey mate,My opinion is to hire a local trusted property manager.Investing in real estate should not be about getting yourself into "another job" but rather elevating and delegating.Don't do the "$20 per hour work" per se but rather focus on scaling your portfolio.Granted a property manager can "make" or "brake" an investment so be super diligent.Just my opinion for what it's worth.All the best

We didn't feel the additional protections offered were necessary at this point in time.

There is a small group of locals who are anti-STR but the good majority are pro-STR due the the fact that STRs bring a ton of revenue for local businesses and jobs for locals.Regarding summers, the temperature is the hottest in August and can get up to 100 degrees so STRs with pools do better in the summer.

The software they use is really nice and easy to use. and they do a great thorough job, providing many of the typical inspections themselves (Whole Home, sewer, Termite, etc)

You could offer to back up lease end to April/ May if that works for you.

I would love to hear feedback from others that may have been in this situation or can just offer additional advice.Thank you so much!