Given the lack of activity / buyers in the market at this time with rates, would you reccomend holding and renting it until the market is better to sell in? 

Cincinnati and Columbus chapters are very active here and nationally and a great resource for networking, recommended contractors/vendors and education.

If you have a competitive advantage that you can bring to your co-hosting/managing, then I would recommend looking for owners with properties that mesh well with your target resident.For example, if you are an active duty military servicemember with unique insight into what a servicemember is looking for, lean into that.

Is anyone actively doing midterm rentals in this general area and willing to help some new comers out?

I have been investing in real estate for the past 15 years but more actively for the past 10 years.

You have used home equity lines of credit to purchase investment rentals and want to know the best way to pay down the HELOCs.Between the two properties you bought, after expenses, you have $250 a month positive cashflow to use.What I like to do is pay down some principal every month with my positive cashflow.I use my extra active income from real estate commissions helping other investors to pay down the principal even more which just frees up that credit for me to use again.I know I can refinance the HELOC debt before it changes to principal and interest as it is just interest only payments as yours are.One difference is the cashflow, I have greater positive cashflow and could make the principal and interest payment in the future with the extra cashflow I already enjoy.I always get HELOCs on my income properties as well after purchasing them to pull out as much of my downpayment as possible.

I go to vacant properties at least weekly unless they are multi-family with active neighbors.)Generally speaking, if a property isn't moving (and others in the area are), either you are priced too high or there is something lacking with your property.

If you are hoping that this property will stand on its own with you living in it and not having to put your active income into it, then it might not be the best option for you right now. 

Networking with local real estate investor groups can also help identify lenders active in your area.

Quote from @Jake Bute: Good Afternoon,I listened to Wheelwright's podcast the other day discussing how short term rentals do not have the same rules as long-term rentals when it comes to some of the tax laws around active/passive investing.