Would it be better for me to go with cheap windows or is it possible for me to buy windows myself and have somebody install them and just cut out the middle man?

They are the ones lending the money, so it's best to go straight to the source.I always recommend you have a written lease and pay rent, just like the other tenants.

He gives a straight no chaser view of properties in Cleveland, and the good bad and ugly of Cleveland real estate investing.

An IRS lien, code violations (weed abatement, grass cutting, boarding windows-doors, and demolition costs), HOA fees, water- sewer bills all go along with the property providing the property has any of these. 

I mean it is possible that Xfinity had a fiber cut or something blew out in a storm or something that services that location and it could be out of their control.  

I want to do a straight finance since I find the other options to risky.

If you don't get that straight right now; take your money to Vegas, you stand a better chance of a quick payday.

Due to higher taxes and home insurance rates, our cash flow has literally been cut in half.

Focus on saving for down payments, cutting expenses, and maintaining good credit behavior.

I am having difficulty figuring out how to use the numbers here to see whether i cut my losses or proceed knowing some major capex work could be done after renovation, so hopefully no major expense in the near to medium term, and all the potential of the area in price growth and rental growth.