Finding Mom & Pop landlords with listings on Craigslist seems to be another good way to go.I have created data scrapers before for auction listings and sites with atypical listings.

Try to investigate and perhaps popping sound from loose floors at night(screw subfloor not use nails).

I knew this would be an advantage going in, but I didn't understand back then how much of an advantage it was, or rather, how we could maximize this advantage as a mom-and-pop investor team.Our current plan, given the phenomenal appreciation of the property, is to move into it ourselves at some point and do a live-in flip, then use the cash to buy more rental properties that would offer us more of a return for the cash that's in the place and the gain that we can get out of it.

Does anyone know of a good contractor (looking for a mom and pop type place) in Cleveland for some work on a triplex? 

You can buy the ESA letters online so it's an easy way to over ride LL's pet policies, and given that your tenants are out of the gate liars, I wouldn't be surprised if this doesn't pop up. 

The less pressure with CAM per sq ft above  base rent especially for mom and pop to regional tenants versus national the better.

All opinions appreciated.County Size: 150,000City Size: 40,000Unemployment: In line with USHousehold Income: $45,00010 Year Pop.

By doing that you should be able to raise the rent and possibly the sales price depending on the demand.The best way to make more money is to be prepared to move to the hot areas and by buying small apartments and working your way up to make enough to be able to hire an experienced Property Manager or a Property Management Company to take care of the daily needs, both maintenance and occupancy,  that is experienced in that area or type and will report you regularly on what you need to properly oversee their efforts and the properties financial status.One good thing is that many smaller apartment complexes are owned by Mom and Pop. 

When we finally got locked in with a property manager, some issues started to pop up.

@Dave Foster pops up in so many 1031 threads and is a wealth of information...