Going to the county office and getting lists of divorces, foreclosures, absentee owners etc. will be helpful, then you can send direct mail, look the people up and either knock on doors or cold call.

You most likely will have title costs, possibly attorney costs if in an attorney state, tax adjustments (costs or credits) water/heating fuel adjustments, some states have transfer fees, any lending costs if you have a loan, and I'm sure there are costs I'm missing.

When I went to do some measurements last week, I found a possum behind the water pipes behind the bath. 

Since they were non-brokered, were you just cold calling property owners?  

Not sure how old the home is but you definitely want to check out the roof, electrical, water heater, heating and air conditioning and plumbing at the very least.

If it wasn't cold there, that would be on my short list of places to live as well.

I'm not shy and I'm comfortable starting cold conversations with owners.  

I have an idea...and maybe a CPA or some other knowledgeable tax expert can help on this......so here's my idea:I want to start paying all our regular ongoing bills and utilities with money straight from the LLC rental income....cell phones (we use our phones for mostly work anyway), electric bill, internet, water, etc etc....I'm thinking of making a lease where my business rents the home office space from me and my wife, and the rent is roughly equal to the utility payments, or just have that on the lease..."

It has water and electricity.

The Columbus market has been crazy and I know a large number of OOS investors are testing the waters, so just make sure you are ready to move or you will find your calls go unreturned as A players don’t have the time.