Although there are still challenges (as with most older towns) things have been steadily improving for many years now - most residents love the place and are excited about the many amenities & general direction of the area.I would love to find a local wholesaler or other sources of good deals - any suggestions on where to look? 

Sounds like you have lots of room to improve cash flows though.

Talk to a tax adviser about moving that money from your old company's 401(k) to a rollover IRA or other retirement account before you make this move.If you have equity in your home, you may want to consider getting a HELOC from a local bank/credit union.  

I see all of these ads for hard money lending but I don't want to apply for anything and take a hit on my credit score which I have been dutifully rebuilding after a divorce a few years back.  

Indiana gives a tax CREDIT of up to 20% of the first $5000 invested each year.  

I do have credit but for the last 3-4 years I have always paid cash and used a debit card.  

My credit is full with our house and school loans, and my husband just started to get credit a few months ago.

He put the down payment on credit cards and closed in May 2016.

I asked for references which he DID say they would send me but not after sending them my credit reports and getting approved first for their lending.

So as most people, I started buying property the tradition bank/ conventional way, with personal credit and guarantee.