Now those same props are selling for 100k ++++  ALL areas in ALL of Cleveland have doubled tripled or much more over the last 10 years.Good luck Neighborhoodscout lists Cleveland appreciation for last 10 years as 5 out of 10 which is not bad, but not great.  

It is between Birmingham (or similar), Ohio (Cleveland/Toldeo/Columbus/Cinci) or?

I can send you 8 that I analyzed just today here in Cleveland (older than 10 years old).

If you're thinking 1-3 steps ahead to optimize cash flow, then sure stick to CDs and govt debt.I'd opt for a very quality location, then private/public debt, and then HYSA, and last and definitely least low value areas with high intrinsic properties like Detroit, Cleveland, etc. if I'm "investing" in those last areas, I'd rather opt for HYSA/Debt before buying those. 

Cleveland would be a great market for you.

I worked with Martel Turnkey who are primarily based in Cleveland and Memphis and bought a SFH from them.

I was also looking on the Ohio market, as Cleveland or Columbus.

Cleveland offers a strong rental market driven by a growing population and can help ensure a steady income stream.

I can’t speak much about other markets, but as someone who started off in Columbus, and grew up in Cleveland.

Specifically, there's job growth (Intel, Honda, Amazon, Nationwide, etc) and the population is growing (unlike Cleveland or Cincy).