defiantly a lot to think about!

You could also attempt to recover from the seller if you can establish that they were aware of this issue and did not disclose it - which you should be able to.

Of course this is speculative, but it doesn't cost a lot to get in and find out.   

What I would like to do is show that I've had steady rental income for a year or 2, establish credit and then mortgage my existing investment property to buy more.

Even after you have established this, there are ways you can make sure your income will be used properly.

A few heavy hitters in the wholesaling arena have suggested a way to initially build some capital is to establish relationships with other wholesalers that have deals but may not have a load of cash buyers, then connect them with cash buyers for a small markup.Is this a viable approach?

I'm interested in a note in an established, older inner city area in Ohio.  

I still obviously have a lot to learn, but I am ready to start networking hopefully without wasting anyone's time.

Does anyone know how to establish a value for a road?

Purchase a little bit less of a house you will have a lot to invest in a rental.