Your best bet is hire a local designer. 

I have trustworthy friends who are interested this and willing to split a mortgage with me (I'm not sure if that's possible either).

Not only that, but in my case, where I am a builder-owner until my license is approved, its ridiculous dealing with 'hiring' anyone to 'help' in this state so I've resolved with my trustworthy neighbor to paint it together and all i owe him is some beer and food.

You will know automatically if the lender is trustworthy based on client remarks and closings. 

Local banks who don't re-sell these are typically your best bet, they like relationships.  

The best bet for that would be getting an awesome property manager that does basically everything aside from supplying the financing for the home. 

I am a tax attorney and i still am confused, and I am willing to bet that most people will be putting it on schedul e, not paying se tax, not calling it passive, and deducting losses against w2 income, and playing roulette with audits.  

I really see Columbus Ohio as an extremely safe bet for the next 10-20 years.

Just a wild guess but I'm betting you don't want to operate a church. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5709.07(A) The following property shall be exempt from taxation: (3) Real property owned and operated by a church that is used primarily for church retreats or church camping, and that is not used as a permanent residence.

I bet dollars to bagels you won't share your work on public forums for free.You need a better source of news than the Chicago Tribune.