The employment to population ratio is sitting at about 68% where a thriving town like Ann Arbor, which Ypsilanti borders, is sitting around 77%.

Many of the "inner ring" suburbs (those municipalities that border Cleveland) also have a good amount of rental properties that may make sense depending on your criteria. 

To begin I was going to start in IL and eventually spread out to bordering states.5.

You will find lots of good information here on both residential and commercial real estate, particularly in the U.S.A, but some for other jurisdictions (including here at home).Looking south east to Chicago (or Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, etc) makes a lot of sense given you could buy a 4-8-unit apartment building for a price similar to a house in Langley these days.Do make certain to consult with both an accountant and lawyer experienced with cross-border real estate investing and take the time to setup an ownership structure that provides you with the protection and flexibility needed to grow and meet your goals.

If I flipped the house I could get all the money but the property borders my property and I was planning on keeping it for at least 15/20 years and just renting it out.Thanks

Disingenuous and bordering on fraud that you could be help accountable for. 

Might have to expand the borders!

The fun part is how to set it all up since there are a number of cross border issues to work out.

Next you need to find yourself an accountant and an attorney who are knowledgable in cross-border business (taxation, finance, business structure/organisation), bring your objectives and sit down with them to determine the approach which best meets your current need and future plans.  

Hello, i came across this site about a week ago interested in Real estate, coasting through the forums and searching for material that could help me gain some knowledge or give me a head start in the right direction.I came across a motivational thread on books, so i went to borders, bought rich dad poor dad - Read that book in about 3 days ( very inspiring and a eye opener ) i am currently reading Think and Grow Rich, by N.Hill and re authored for the 21 century, interesting but a motivational book at best, after this book id like to read some books that i can actually get some hard knowledge on the subject, im just not sure how to start, where to begin to read?