Quote from @Roxanne Whitaker: Please be aware if you buy an investment property and do not live in MD, when you go to sell it you will pay an 8% tax at settlement. 

Live in one half, rent out the other.

Having a property management company seems to be a good option for me since I am living out of state.

The reason to have comparables is if you are representing someone or perhaps purchasing a house for yourself to live in.

Because if you need to live off the cash flow what you're really looking for is a business. 

Kyle  My father-in-law did this by creating a portfolio that is primarily debt-free single-family rentals in the city he lives in.

I would pull a FHA loan for $665,000 and live in one side and rent the other side out to a family member for $2,000 a month.

If you go into Central or South Scottsdale (Old Town) $1M will buy you a smaller, older home, OR half of a big, remodeled home (as alot of the Arcadia and Old Town area are turning over old small homes to be big beautiful homes in the $2.5M range and higher).There are options.....for both buying and renting, that would work with your situation.By the way....it's 51 degrees in North Scottsdale right now where I live. 

I know we all got to make a living but....

I'd sell every Cleveland house and put your money in a better market. just my 2 cents as someone from ohio and who lived in columbus for 12 years