I am afraid we will fall for a property with a false sense of a good deal.Are there any suggestions to help me run an analysis that would better account for the larger down payment and allow me to better analyze potential properties in the future.

@Nathan Frost trying to still help, so what suggestions are you looking for that we didn't already cover please?

If there are any known issues(even as simple as a bad $7 shutoff valve) you will not be permitted to turn on utilities. 

Is it just as simple as entering your account information in their mortgage payment portal and making sure the payment comes from your account?

 @Samuel Diouf which neighborhoods in Columbus would you suggest looking into?

Some residents even suggest he find a new job.

Case law supports him.I don't even know where to begin with a comment like that, other than I suggest you start building a legal defense fund, to deal with that mistaken approach to contracts. 

However, what I would suggest based on your expertise as a contractor is going into a semi-fixer upper and make minor repairs to boost equity as well as savings. 

I own a 3 apartment income property (almost paid off) and I wanted to ask you for some advice regarding acquiring more properties like this. would you suggest selling the income property and use the profits to acquire more properties or keep it and finance any new property with a new loan. what is more appealing to banks?

Any feedback on the listing/suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated!