The northwest suburbs of Akron are the higher  income areas.  

Secondly, the homeowner would need to cooperate as she would need to submit a bunch of paperwork including income statements, tax returns, etc. for the Short Sale application to show that she is insolvent.  

As the cleaning company continues to grow, I am looking to invest in real estate to create more passive income. 

They tend to all have good incomes, little to no credit, and are self employed with lots of family.

A lot of our housing stock here has finished basements or in-law suites, so with something like that you can generate significant rental income for an inexpensive conversion. 

My wife and I have overhauled our personal budget to reflect the 'pay yourself first' approach (allocate in order: income comes in -> invest -> donate -> fixed expenses -> variable expenses -> fun $$).We are looking to see what experienced people generally recommend for a holding tank for that 'invest' allocation while we target our first real estate deal.What financial vehicles have you guys used that works well for this?

It's usually someone with a high W2 income buying a primary then doing Mid-Term or Short-Term Rentals with an ADU. 

A small multifamily property is a smart choice for a first investment—it offers a great balance of income potential and manageable scale for someone new to the space.Don’t worry about being ambitious; it’s clear you’ve done your homework, and you’re already ahead of the game by setting a clear goal.

Tax and Legal ConsiderationsUnderstand the tax implications and legal responsibilities associated with rental income.

Take the proceeds and invest in a highly trusted Syndication or fund and enjoy the passive income.