The Tampa Bay area is more than likely not your market with those buying criteria.You will have to put meaningful sweat equity and be creative in your leasing (MTR, rent by room etc) to produce a 3bd SFH  <200K purchase price that cash flows. 

Good deals are going quick even for the "premium" properties, everyone who has sparked the interest in owner occupy and investing in multifamily is keeping a very close eye on whats on the market and looking for new properties to hit the market. 

Amazon, EA, Apple, Facebook, Google, Arkane Studios, Homeaway, etc, are all ramping up their footprints in meaningful ways.

It's about paying it forward and helping those inexperienced while treating them with respect, fanning those sparks of desires into flames, and eventually into blazes.

People are now considering areas that were once off-limits due to higher commute times.Lifestyle Shift: The pandemic has sparked a reevaluation of our priorities.

Also, there's no guarantee of success--no matter what you do, some friendships just aren't made to last (that's just a reality of life that we all face).   ...but, put in the effort, and you might find yourself with two very different, but very meaningful friend groups.Good luck out there!

I can't remember what sparked my interest in real estate investment, but browsing bigger pockets and learning all I can has definitely become my new favorite pastime.

I'm in escrow on a REO that initially requested (and received) Cash Offers onlyDeal directly with the Listing AgentPut a fat deposit downBeat the Cash Offer by a meaningful amountBe willing to release Financing/Inspection contingencies on a short time-frameBe ready with proof of funds, credit, pre-approvals etcWork with a lender who you know can performSay on top of third party timelines (ordering an appraisal, Prelim, getting loan approval, etc)

You can't stop a tenant from bringing in their own roommates if their space legally can accommodate the extra people (and there is NO enforceable occupancy limit if you rent a single family house),  and you can't meaningfully screen those roommates.   

@Oliver Sparks  Find a lender that will lend you on your current property via an LOC so you can purchase the current home cash.