Cleveland is a great rental market, with a low cost of entry and strong rents. 

The low initial investment and high resale value made it an attractive opportunity.

The Branson market has fewer 3/3 units in the inventory, so you should do pretty well depending on cost and location.

It's true that you can do a longer contract and most wholesalers do but also most wholesalers fudge the numbers and make the ARV much higher than what it's actually worth or the rehab cost is way too low.

Given some of the issues that we have seen with my mom's old house which is in the suburbs of Pittsburgh I know that costly repairs could be hiding somewhere.

Because of that low barrier to entry, plenty of investors from all over are looking at this city. 

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

Any opinions out there on if I would have any legal right to get the earnest money returned to me or should I just be happy he is willing to let me out of the contract and consider the $2,000 em cost of doing business?

I built this one 7 new st.. which build cost was probably 40 to 50% higher for the sq ft because of what we had to buy to meet the BAR ( architectural review for those that are not familiar)  I also built about 20 in North Charleston a before it sky rocketed.. my building partner is now working hanihan. which is the next one to go. 

If you can, go several times, so you can watch it happen from the foundation all the way up.If you live close to a store like Home Depot or Lowe's, sometimes they have free classes on "how to install a ceiling fan" or "how to paint".