However, I also do like doing the analysis on my properties so I suppose it is "fun" for me, at least as much as fun as a computer-based task could be.

I am an investor and real estate agent based in Columbus, Ohio and have investments in Dayton too.

I know you're over budget but you might want to stage it a little - even with stuff from home if a stager isn't an option.

I am trying to understand what my options are.Rick

Or are there other options involving financing that will help me get my foot in the door sooner?

That is a much easier option unless you have a problematic property.

View report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

I was just looking in our county's online court docket and see a company based in our area called something like Rent Recover handling plenty of cases, so I was going to check it out and see if maybe they can do something.

Don't get bogged down on wanting the cheapest option. 

Chicken and the egg.A non-refundable earnest money deposit, or option purchase, might help you get it under contract.