I recommend you read "Long-Distance Real Estate Investing" by David Greene and consider investing in a different market.

I am actually considering long-term rentals 

It does seem like the owner is less of a landlord and more of a glorified RA.If you can find the right tenants and live there as long as possible to make sure care is given to the space, I believe that will go along way.

Who really cares who buys them as long as they aren't getting contracts just to get contracts.

I'll make a long story as short as possible:> House built in 2008, first owners used husbands VA loan to secure (220k loan), stopped paying HOA and bank shortly thereafter (current payoff 500k+). 

Can they prove how long it takes to rent a vacant property?

If you're coming back to SD and want to live in the home you have here for the long haul, it's nice security to pay it down.

If you're dead set on self-managing, find and purchase a property that already has long-term tenants and will want to stay after the turnover.

How long do homes stay on the market?

I am eager to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with wholesalers who can provide quality properties that meet our criteria.If you are a wholesaler in the Cleveland area or its suburbs, or if you have any recommendations, I would love to hear from you.Please feel free to reach out to me via private message or respond to this thread with your contact information and a brief overview of your offerings.Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with some of the fantastic wholesalers in our community.Best regards,Tom.