I'd also like to try to purchase with a land trust or my LLC. 

Many of our borrowers/clients have one LLC that owns the building and another than own the operating business.

Would it be better to buy with a Land Trust?

I trust my contractors but I would have a better sense of security with some type of monitoring system. 

I try to be friendly everywhere I go to make friends and believe that building a network wouldn’t be too difficult for me but I don’t know what I don’t know.

Works best if you trust the flipper.Wrap + Second Position Combo: This is a cool little move—you work out a wrap-around mortgage with the seller, then assign that contract to your borrower, and still lend in a second position for repairs or closing costs.

don't be afraid of better markets in ohio like columbus. depending on the capital allocation buying old houses and having to renovate is not the only way to drive value. build rent refinance repeat and build to rent are both very strong market drivers as well and you can traditionally get infill land in areas like columbus in much better locations than where you buy.

There are really great REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are particularly lucrative - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent.

And just because electric is mandated on new buildings doesn't mean it is a cheaper utility.

The factors to consider are your overall objectives, your credit score, DTI and personal financial condition I recommend you find a broker or originator whom you can trust and have them weigh your options.