Thank you for sharing your experience here; it’s a good reminder to be extra careful when dealing with properties like this.This post has definitely made me realize how important it is to double-check zoning and property classifications before closing on a deal.

-Allocate a portion of your funds toward extra payments on the current mortgage while also setting aside money for a new investment.

I'm sure there are great, stable areas in Columbus but I'm not convinced the appreciation has been as strong as most would lead you to believe.I don't know much about Cincinnati, but one glance at the median list price over the past 5 years (attached below) would be enough for me to write it off as not appreciating.I'm personally partial to Detroit and that's where I invest and do a lot of business with other folks as well.

They did have an extra step to make sure that you were the owner of the property, but otherwise it was not bad at all. 

That extra diligence is screaming.Perhaps you should stick to promoting yourself. 

If heat goes out in the winter we drop off several units, so they can be placed in different parts of the house - including every room with water like kitchen and bathrooms.We also have dehumidifiers, carpet blowers, shop vacs, puddle-sucker pumps, extra hoses, extra sump pumps with battery pack, squeegees, and portable AC units ready to deploy. 

Once it’s set up, though, payments tend to come like clockwork, which is one of the biggest perks.That said, it's important to remember that rent isn’t necessarily guaranteed forever like a lot of folks assume.

There are lots of folks Bigger Pockets who feel they have to carry a gun to show vacant units.  

Hey, if you get married you'll be able to shield an extra $250k in capital gains!!

So, I floated the idea here on BiggerPockets to see what more experienced folks would have to say about it.