Outside of that, do normal due diligence like appraisal and inspection and you're risk exposure is fairly low.

Without having a credit score you can expect to have a 10% reduction on the LTV or loan amount towards a purchase or refinance.

@Eric Andersen definitely put weight into what @Michael Baum wrote and do your own research on the city regulation/zoning.

The carrying costs are low, but tenant was making partial payments by month 2.

Looking for something with low acquisition cost, and meets or exceeds the 1% rule.  

Prices in Columbus are still low enough to find 1% rule deals and there's a ton of appreciation happening in this market as well.

You can look into low-income neighborhoods usually the properties are of lower value, but I'm not quite sure if that applies everywhere but I know in Florida I see it here and there, and if you need help looking I don't mind helping.i would be wary about REO/HUD owned properties as a first time househack.

Is it high appreciation area with a low rate mortgage?

You could structure the deal with seller financing to bridge the gap.Possible offer structure:-Purchase Price: $170K - closer to actual value-Down Payment: Low or zero down to conserve cash-Interest Rate: 3%-5% - or better yet, 0% if the seller will agree-Monthly Payments: Interest-only or deferred until the sale-Balloon Payment: Full payoff in two years when you sellIf he wants $200K, you can still make an offer of:-$170K purchase price + $30K as a second lien due at closing-Seller carries $170K at a low interest rateHe would feel closer to his number, but you still keep within reasonable investment limits.2.

Ebooks, podcasts like @Bonnie Low suggested and start running numbers on every deal you see until you know how it all works.