Thanks @Josh Ball@Richard Forton I do not have anything in Sarasota proper at the moment but have been researching a lot for a couple clients as of late. 

A few quick recommendations:Confirm it qualifies as residential rental (27.5-year) and watch for any personal use issues.Be conservative on interior components (cabinets, sinks, related plumbing/electrical can get scrutiny).Lean into the amenities — hot tubs, saunas, exterior lighting, concrete pads, landscaping often drive solid 5- and 15-year allocations.Make sure renovation costs are well documented — invoice detail makes a big difference.Double-check placed-in-service date and bonus eligibility.Sampling doesn’t apply unless you’re dealing with a portfolio.When structured properly, STRs can sometimes outperform traditional long-term rentals due to amenities and upgrades — just don’t get overly aggressive on structural components.Hope that helps 👍

It looks like Proper offers a bed bug policy. 

@Drew Sygit has some good resources on investing in Metro Detroit, including the city proper.

Zoho Books is another solid option at roughly $40/month and handles construction and job costing for flips surprisingly well.Some CPAs still prefer QuickBooks, but as long as your books are clean and reports are structured properly, the software itself usually isn’t a deal-breaker.

If the lease prohibits tampering with property or cameras, you may have a case, but most places still require proper notices and following the legal process.In many areas, “disorderly conduct” alone is not enough to skip a notice to cease.

All this being said, you the buyer are better off with a proper note and mortgage/deed of trust than an installment contract. 

We are not planning to rehab and live in a property, so we’re focusing on traditional rental investing rather than house hacking or flips.Target areas are the Southeast or Midwest, with an initial investment budget around $75k.I’d really appreciate insight on:• What steps you’d recommend taking before making an offer on a first deal• How to properly analyze deals when you’re brand new• How to connect with potential mentors or experienced investors who are open to helping newer investors• Whether long-term or short-term rentals tend to be better for first-time investors, in your experienceAny advice, tools, podcasts, books, or strategies you’d recommend would be greatly appreciated. 

But, know what you want to accomplish beforehand.Creative Finance is a great way to buy properties when done properly and lawfully.

At this stage, focus on building strong systems early, solid bookkeeping, proper entity structure, and understanding how taxes and financing interact.Common mistakes include scaling too fast without operational stability, chasing door count over disciplined underwriting, and letting lenders drive structure without considering long-term tax impact.When moving into small multifamily, prioritize durable cash flow, strong reserves, and flexible financing.