I leave salt and a shovel out for one of my tenants.

Comparing to Clearwater Beach, Largo and Seminole FL are usually better alternatives as investments.

Also, anyone in that region have any suggestions for the infrequent but sure-fire need for shoveling/salting services when the need arises?

Quote from @Matt John: I recently purchased a property in Houston for $100k cash and have secured permits to build a duplex, so the land is shovel-ready.

Beach RE especially oceanfront is very rentable and due to the finite supply tends to hold value nicely although it sounds like areas in FL are currently precarious.

While your rents might be higher, you need to also factor in - vacancy (how quickly you will occupy your units in between tenants), cost of refresh (painting, cleaning, etc) and how much responsibility yo have over utilities, I cant imagine having the MTR tenants cut the grass or shovel the snow. 

During Great Depression, sky high unemployment, they provided shovels and wheel barrows and said any who want work, come and get it.

. 👉 A softer job market usually means lower borrowing costs ahead, as long as inflation doesn’t flare up.📊 Inflation Meets ExpectationsThe Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the cost of everyday goods and services, rose 0.4% in August and is up 2.9% compared to last year.

A 100 lot pipe farm was offered to me  for 1K  per lot .. shovel ready development..

In our trailer park growing up my brother and I dug the sewer and water line with shovels in Louisiana “hot”.