It was getting difficult to manage the process via spreadsheets.

And if you manage to find someone willing to move forward, it’s still very difficult to do.

Whatever the situation, you are likely looking for difficult situations where you can actually help solve a problem if you want to find good deals in this market.

With the high property taxes, I'm finding it very difficult to get anything close to cash flowing fully rented without doing something creative.

It's been difficult for years now to find a property let alone a DEAL below market.

The information makes sense on paper on how to get started on which ever strategy someone wants to invest in but I’m having a difficult time understanding how to put it into action.

Once the house was rehabbed, we could list and sell (don’t think it would be difficult in this market).Once sold, I would pay back the loan for the construction costs, plus interest (depending on finance method).

I wouldn't do it, you mentioned it would be tight and make it difficult for everyone to safely maneuver. 

It is probably not difficult.

I see the appeal since you'd have to commit to renting for the next two years if you didn't house hack but seems difficult to pull off.Just my opinion of course, I would stick with building your rental portfolio in Columbus and expanding later. it's a market you're familiar with and from what I heard has a lot of potential if you're OK investing from a far for the time being.