It's possible to do out of state investing in Cleveland or Akron, but you need to build a team and start networking with folks here.

Quote from @Makan A Tabrizi: How do you folks handle nail/screw holes in walls.

I agree.. just look at any large mid west or rust belt metro.. there is a ton of houses avaliable the question though will folks buy in certain neighborhoods where inventory is readily avaliable you can buy existing in many of these markets for far less than new builds.. so to me its really a neighborhood issue  a school issue a crime issue etc etc..

It may be too late.yup stop payment.. also for future reference if you cant pay cash for these kind of educational events don't do it.how are you going to do business if you have to charge this to even get started.. this is the very thing that really bugs me about the real estate education sector in the US>. talking people to go into credit card debt when they know full well only 10% or less of folks that try this or any kind of wholesaling / flipping/ notes / lending etc will do anything .. and especially if you have no capital.

@Dennis Bragg I especially agree with you that "thinking about older buildings.. some folks underestimate how well older properties can hold up".

But those folks were in way worse situations than you are..  

And most of those buyers dont have a very big down payment /  unless you think you can get bigger BP.. so if these are high ltv loans then no I dont think HNW folks will jump on it.if the LTV is about 60% then that might work. 

I have a list of folks I can send your way. 

In fact, I would estimate that it is mostly upper middle-class folks that have the money and wherewithal to go through the vacation rental process - prepayment of substantial monies, etc.If you only have one property, I would just stick with Venmo, CashApp, or Paypal.

I am guessing it is just kids tossing them in their bags when their folks try and get them to hustle up.