As we recall Lori you chose to not use our services on your own.

Once we identify a location that meets our criteria, we network with builders, property managers, lenders, insurance companies, CPA's, attorney's, etc. that service that area to have the entire team already established you need to be a successful investor regardless of your physical location or experience level.

.: Is it legal, per the IRS, to rent my primary home back to myself? 

Customer service from a support perspective matters of course, but no hang up or delays on investing would take place.

The mortgage servicers, agents, buyers, sellers, etc.

Start by talking to a cross-border CPA and attorney to handle taxes and legal structures properly.

This means you need to pad your rehab costs, make sure you have trusted service providers that do great work, and when you run comps be sure to bring them down a bit and see if the deal still makes sense. 

The seller has the two lots legally separated, but due to deed restriction imposed by the subdivision development, found that building a house on the “tennis court” lot was not allowable. 

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – and they often select the first PMC they call!

So could start with some community banks in Cleveland since you are local.Residential loans for the most part are serviced by Fannie Freddy but commercial loans can be much more diverse with their products so having a few options has always helped me a ton.