Additionally, how long does it typically take to convert the units from free-market to Section 8?

Toledo is notorious for bad operators and poor quality of workmanship in many industries.Wishing you much success 🙏🏻  It's ok being a copy cat as long as you copy the right cat haha

The 6 homes would be kept long term.

And how long does it take to rent?

You will be able to convert your current debt to a 30 year perm debt loan and cashflow on a long-term basis. 

I have been investing for 20 plus years in long term rentals and want to purchase my first STR for greater cash flow and appreciation.

I prefer Airbnb but worst case scenario I could always long term I suppose. 

We are self managing it as we live fairly close.

I think they do a decent job on working a loan, every company has its strengths and weaknesses but I would not disqualify a company because it’s portal is awful as long as it provides me a snap shot or updates on a loan.

I don’t want to have to wait a long time to save more money to buy my second one.