If you take that cash and try to buy units in the area, ask yourself what are they selling for?

I will try the other avenues that you have suggested.

Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

If there isn’t significant equity capture at this purchase price, and it’s not in a great location, this would be a pass for me.

It is maybe a couple thousand dollar up-front cost for the developers to determine the viability of a project.I work with experienced developers, who could perform & gather all this data on their own if they really wanted to, but the value that an engineer brings on these is typically worth their time & small cost. 

My point is this:  it can't hurt to learn more and get the license. 

It's way easier when you have a turnover.My wife could manage this and she's hands off with the tenants. 

I would say the biggest thing is to find an investor-friendly realtor to connect with and try to help you find off-market deals. 

One tip I have for you when it comes to finding an agent or lender go to the top of this page under BUILD YOUR INVESTING TEAM and click on AGENTS & LENDERSFrom there you will be asked a series of questions and then you'll be matched with 3-5 agents/lenders.

This is the recording of an "affidavit of facts related to title" under Ohio Revised Code Section 5301.252.