Be prepared to potentially have zero income for many months.In addition, you will want to check the permits.  

Got a HELOC on my primary residence and put some additional cash into the investment to customize it.

Quote from @Cameron Iarrobino: A google search will typically point you in the right direction: https://masslandlords.net/laws/abandoned-property/I recommend reading several sources to cross-check.

I only have 12 sets of appliances but I probably replaced 2 per year  so I’m getting about 6 years on average  if you’re really having problems check a nationwide appliance shop like RC Wiley  you can get a 6 year warranty for a couple hundred dollars.  

The GC is also the gateway for them to receive each payment -  he'll hold the check and not give it to them until we are X% complete at each stage. 

In Ohio, on the Real Estate Purchase Contract, you have to check a box as the purchaser if you are doing "cash" or "financing"?

If you're looking to invest OOS you should check out this Bigger Pocket Blog here: Core 4 Members of a Profitable Long-Distance Real Estate Investing Team (biggerpockets.com)explaining what's needed and how to build your Big Four team so you will have boots on the ground ready to move full speed ahead when you're ready to pull the trigger.

YEs, I did an application and a background check beforehand. 

I will check him out!

My wife and I decided that we would rent out the house but because we have received a grant for the down payment and closing costs from the city of Baltimore, we are wondering if it’s okay to rent out the property without any issues or they would check to see if we live at the property or we did a mortgage fraud by renting out the property for not living it for 7-12 months.