Any suggestions on the simplest way to go about this?

If anyone has any suggestion on the benefits of one state vs the other and what areas to look at in those states, it would be greatly appreciated.

Will be using a GC for the new build, but after doing 6 flips in Cleveland and running into bottlenecks of how much the GC can handle, I'm wondering if just subbing out each trade would be quicker and cheaper than waiting on GC's who are overbooked and managing over a dozen projects at a time to finish out my own projects. 

Your Lender My suggestion to find #2 & #4 would be to go to the top of this page and click on FIND AN AGENT & FIND A LENDER.

I wonder if it’s better to go with a different realtor?

Theodore - I don't recognize the color, but I would send the photo to a couple of "big box" stores and see what they suggest.

I have two properties due for inspection by Sept.I heard having windows painting and a HEPA cleaning helps but wondering if anyone has any feedback on how easy or hard it is to pass or fail the inspection?

So, I suggest before you buy something else you need to figure that out.Life is short for "senior investors" like us, so live your best life and buy wherever it makes you happy. 

Just wondered how your deals went and if you were happy.

Have enough for 20% downpayment + fees+ and some more-Because of DTI, we cannot borrow money (no hard money or private money) for the new house unless we have tenants sign the contract with our current home.Does anyone have any suggestions?