Everything I read says it’s really difficult to get these variances approved, but we should have a better chance with the surrounding properties on both sides being under the zoning requirement at only 6,700 sqft lot sizes.

You are on the right track by having trusted reps on the ground locally and the necessary rental operating infrastructure already in place.

If the infrastructure is good and it has recently been remodelled and bought up to code...

We are remodeling a rental property in a suburb of Akron Ohio and installing a new tub with tile surround.

It is hard for a smaller builder to compete with their cost of capital and infrastructure.

I'm also exactly in the same situation. looking at Cleveland, OH and surrounding suburbs as the place for my first investment property.

Hi @Tyson Thomas to piggyback on @Mike Day's comment, definitely reach out to all of the banks in your surrounding area (large, medium, small, credit unions, etc.).

One way or another, and if nothing else, someone has to evaluate the property as to the probable cost to bring it to an after-repair-value that matches the surrounding market's fair market value for comparable properties - before ever offering to buy it at "such a ridiculously low price" (as the seller will term your offer at first), let alone, before offering to sell it at "wholesale" to your buyer (i.e., so far below fair market price at retail that the repairs can be covered as well as your profit and the flipper's profit in its eventual retail sale -- or 'buy-and-hold-to-rent-out'er's profit before they would expect to get it rented -- plus the title search, closing, and any tax costs related to your purchase from the seller (usually split somehow) - and finally, the title search, closing, and any tax cost split with whoever buys it from you.Now, that someone could be you (you do trust you and your repair-estimate abilities, don't you?)

I'm looking for current wholesalers in the Puget Sound and surrounding areas. 

As long as you surround yourself with the right people and energy, you will grow at the speed of light.