I would recommend going with an anonymous LLC name - that provides anonymity for your business dealings and increases the difficulty in someone bringing a lawsuit against you.

Good luck I'm actually not having too much difficulty getting applicants, having processed 3+ applications at this point.

I have been wanting to buy a property for a couple of years now but I am a 1099 employee, so getting approved for a loan has been very difficult. I

lots of ways to skin this cat.closely held LLC TICLPlender with equity participation.

We have also been having some difficulties with water in Cleveland.

Without a network navigating the real estate world will certainly come with its difficulties. 

I'm utilizing tons of suggested resources like city-data, Census Bureau, local news and property managers, zillow/redfin, rentometer, DOL, Dept. of Numbers, and the likes.I'm also finding difficulty in making an educated decision because the area is so small.

No one has more "skin in the game" than a PMC as they have to deal with the property every day until an owner sells or fires them.Also recommend finding your own Inspector and not one referred by an agent.

How difficult is it to qualify for a HELOC loan?

The top level questions to ask typically pertain to the operator's experience, their skin in the game, and how they're paid in the deals they do.The Hands-Off Investor by @Brian Burke was recently released by BiggerPockets, that is a good place to start.