We are hoping to zero in on one or two so we can start building connections in anticipation of being boots on the ground in August.We are trying to narrow it down further but so far we are looking in Akron/Cleveland/Canton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and possibly Toledo.

You need some statistics to make your search easier.Here’s an interactive map from the National Association of Realtors that should help you hone in on some areas you might be interested.  

Anticipating bringing in $3,400 for the main house which will give us a conservative NOI of ~$1,800 for the property.

That's a great option if you know you might not have a lot of capital to deploy or you anticipate that you may want to reinvest those funds for a syndication later when you DO expect to have the full minimum amount.

We fell in love with the potential of this area its turned out to be much better than we had expected and seems the "path of progress" is much further along than we had anticipated.

If you anticipate it continuing to appreciate for a while, then even without strong cash flow, or any cash flow, as a house hack, you could still come out ahead.  

We both came in with 665 and 680 and have 10% available.At this point we are out $1000 on non-refundable services, possibly will be out of the earnest money, will be out of $2300 more for the lease termination at the apartment which we also will need to move out since it has been rented anticipating our exit in May.Overall this seems extremely deceptive to explain minimum requirement prior to applying (would never have applied if we didn’t qualify), being approved, only to be bait and switch style roped into paying money we do not have to move in or essentially choose to be homeless (obviously we would just rent another place but it’s an extremely short notice move and apartments aren’t that plentiful)Any advice on where to go from here?

After having these interactions/meetings, I feel by default I am going to work for that brokerage.

but for this type of interaction now way would I use the phone rather check the baseball scores or flightawre and watch the planes fly all over the world  LOL   

As noted in prior posts, the key is that everything is done by and for the plan, with limited interaction from you and no injection of personal capital.