Also my experience with local government in Cleveland has not been great.

That IS possible, but as you'd expect with the government... there's a fair amount of red tape.

On the schedule E under lending guidelines for Freddie/Fannie loans as outlined in Regulation Z  25% of the income reported is not counted (this is to account for vacancies and maintenance). 

Are there any government agencies in your area that may be able to assist with putting her up somewhere for a short term? 

how could the government justify using its monopoly on force to stop two people from signing a contract between them for the rental of a property? 

Remember 6 out of 10 people are on government assistance and not working, so if you plan on doing rentals, you will have to make sure you get your monthly payment. 

Can it be as simple as just beginning to use a business name in your marketing without formally filing it with any governing body?

@Collin H.Silly, our socialist government is literally working the levers to stop evictions, to set relief funds.

Since we invest out of town, certainly more than 100 miles from our personal residence, he and his guidance on the deal (the area of town, the demographics, the rents, the local regulations and what can and cannot be done with a property) cannot be overstated.

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