Then connect with some hard money lenders (you can find some here on BP as well as some who are typing this right now) and connect with them to understand their product type, what they like to lend on and requirements.Hard money broker is all numbers game of making relationships and helping those that are looking for financing, it starts out slow but if you get with a few good borrowers and lenders it can be pretty decent money to be made.As an example we paid six figures last year to HM brokers. 

While likely more expensive than Cleveland or Toledo, Columbus has a more diverse and robust economy, driven by government, education (Ohio State University), and healthcare.

I am playing a long game.

It could take years of sacrifice and saving to get into this game and most people don't want to wait that long.  

Thank you Nick - unfortunately it is the name of the game in this space that there will be people with bad experiences, typically when the appraised value doesn't come in as what they expect and they lash out at the lender accordingly (anyone in this space obviously understands this occurrence). 

If you don't/won't have WiFi then you should either consider a SimpliSafe system that you can move around from house to house, or some type of Trail cameras like hunters use for identifying game areas.

Ideally, you want to look for markets with a growing economy, diverse industries, and growing population that indicates strong rental demand.

The odds of default go up significantly for those who have no skin in the game.

I am new to the game and using the FHA loan has just seemed to be the most common way to house hack (at least in terms of what the resources I have read have said). 

Forums and meetups like BP have changed the game for my family for generations to come AND for generations for people in our homes.