If you can't determine an area class by driving there and looking at it, then you need to get some more exposure and get to know the local market more. 

I just completed my first rehab deal, and I still cashflow, but I can't afford property management without basically negating the rest.

Basically, he negotiated with buyers to put down a larger deposit upfront, which he then used to fund part of the construction costs.

Turnkey properties are popular in Old North, Merion Village, Southern Orchards, Old Towne East, Driving Park, North Linden, North Hilltop, Franklinton, Reynoldsburg, and Hungarian Village.For BRRRR and Fix & Flip, consider Eastmoor, Hilltop, Whitehall, and Linden.

But you basically have a growth phase, a consolidation phase and a drew phase.Each one has different goals.

If you have commercial experience and are an excellent asset manager (managing the property manager, driving revenue, reducing expenses,  managing GCs)You wont just provide value to a sponsorYou will be highly sought-after after by sponsorship groups.The ones worth their salt know how incredibly valuable a strong asset manager is (and how much work it takes)So if you can bring that skillset, I have a feeling it won't take long for you to find a sponsorship team. 

There is no HOA  and the setting is such that a person would not drive up and necessarily see the roof.

I may not fully understand what drives the market and what to look for to stay ahead of the game, but I'm trying.. do you typically hold the property longer this time of the year?

This could drive prices up and make things worse.The better option is to buy now when there's less competition.

However, tenants have not been great, basically late on rent and/or leaving repairs that eat all profits.