My thought is to help him out by going in 50-50 partnership for many reasons: half down payment, half capex expense, strong co-signer on loan, me being local to investment property to take care of little things that need attentions (he will be out of state for his job/I will have PM), etc.  1. 

For financing, there are programs like FHA loans for first-time buyers, and there may be local or state-level programs offering incentives for affordable housing investments.

The seller would have to be paying us to take the property if we wanted to make that amount.We make use of the tools here on BP to help frame out a deal as well as using our knowledge of the local market to gauge what a property will be worth renovated. 

Best place to start is reading up in the forums, buying a book or two, listening to the podcast and attending your local REIA.

Also, check local zoning and park rules to ensure flexibility with different housing types.

Since hard money eats into profits, consider private lenders, local banks, or partnerships for lower-cost funding.

I would also check out NARPM for a list of local property managers. https://www.narpm.org/about/why-use-a-narpm-memberBest of luck!

This will help you close deals faster.Focus on marketing and lead generation to find motivated sellers—direct mail, driving for dollars, and online marketing all work well here.Know your numbers—being able to accurately assess the value of properties and make solid offers is key.Network with other investors and professionals—attend local REI meetups, connect with title companies, and build relationships with hard money lenders.Feel free to reach out if you ever want to chat more or exchange ideas!

would you still create the single LLCs in OH (the state where the flip is in) or open one in my state of residence and JV with the local LLC ?  

You are going to pay more for something new so you might take a look on the local Craigslist, FB marketplace or OfferUP and see what is out there.