Does it help pay for attorney fees/title search?

Best of luck with your search and your projects.

@Edward B. thank you - I was searching the forums for info about USAA's lending after I hung up the phone and found similar remarks.

Spends 2 hours on the internet searching for videos on how to repair the weird equipment, gets sketchy info.

HI, @Elaine Lai, I'm a contractor mainly on the east side, @james wise, name comes to mind for a realtor on the west side, you can also do a member search for Cleveland, and find other Agents, and Contractors, here is also a link to the Cuyahoga County Forclosure Sales: https://sheriff.cuyahogacounty.us/en-us/foreclosure-sales.aspx   Welcome back, and Good luck! 

If you're talking about dups/tris, for example, having more than one broker searching MLS listings will be redundant and perhaps frustrating for the agent.

If approved, how long do I have to use it if I am still searching for right property to purchase?

Where would I start the search?

I'd expand your search a bit and give a chance to some of the neighborhoods that maybe aren't quite the fun, trendy neighborhoods, but are close to them.  

I'm curious as to what the best strategies are for identifying potential properties, how to approach the homeowners (letter, door to door, a written offer, etc) and how to write a fair and solid price (I'm thinking full price offer based on comps minus 6% because of no commission but throwing in some cash or creditiing closing costs to the seller to sweeten the deal a little bit.