EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

Before I start going around asking for money, what would you recommend I have prepared to show potential investors that will prove to them we are a serious investment?

This can be very expensive and is usually the worst choice because you can't justify the cost.2.

I have talked to 3 other very interested potential tenants, but have not had them do application because I was trying to get information from students and didn't want the others to pay a application fee if I end up renting to students, but that may not be the correct process.    

They have a HELOC of ~$60kNumbers:Comps suggest ~$199.5/sqft (max 2,020 sqft)Estimated ARV: $335k (based on comps)Potential rent: $1,975-$2,000/monthQuestion: Do these numbers seem reasonable for the Braselton market?

If you do go the Ikea route for any furniture, always start on CraigsList or FB Marketplace for used items.If you're renting the space on platforms that don't rely on reviews like Airbnb/VRBO, you could probably keep the furnishings to a relative minimum and help keep your start-up costs down. 

How much would it cost for material and labor for a 985 square-foot house?

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

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.

Besides hiring a realtor to do a traditional listing or selling to a "cash for homes" company, what other options might I have for finding potential buyers?