Thank you for the tip on the under-mount sinks!! 

@Todd Plambeck thanks for the tip on getting stainless steel grinder and 3/4hp.

Here are a couple other tips:- Describe each room with LONG descriptions with tons of details like mattress type and bedding quality.

But being casually active in real estate, infrastructure projects, private credit, and equities is my long term future but a lot more time focused on my kids.

I haven't explored this much but I think it would be an interesting strategy (this is assuming you don't need the cash for the next ~3-5 years minimum):Invest the whole amount in something like VTSAX or the S&P500 or whatever big blue chip stocks a lender likes and pull like half the amount out in a loan or some kind of line of credit.

Any tips on getting through the mud are appreciated.

Also, any advice or tips you have would be greatly appreciated -- I'm eager to learn and finally start taking action!

For DSCR lenders, pre-approvals require a credit pull and the assumption of the property appraising for near what the borrower states.

While a cash out refinance is a very good option in this situation, you could also look to see if the lender you are currently working with would give a commercial line of credit as well.

Also wanted to add on to this - would love to connect with investors in the Cleveland area to learn more about your experience and any helpful tips on how to be successful in the area.