We have access to capital to build the unit, but with the market slowing down, there is a possibility that we could 1031 exchange into an apartment.

We use Rentec Direct and really love it.It collects our rent, applies late fees, deposits our rents in our bank account, tracks expenses, screens our tenants, markets our properties, generates forms we can send out for docusigning by our tenants, tracks leases, and much more.  

I would first encourage you to hire a retail leasing broker in your market. 

Since I've been told the insurance market is really tough right now in California with most of the big companies (Nationwide, Allstate, State Farm)  not writing new policies to new customers, I'm trying to do a change of broker to a different Safeco agent.

It really sucks, sorry, it's tough to sell right now with the interest rates, even tougher on the higher value properties, even with extensive marketing which I'm sure your agent is doing.  

That's tough in today's market but not impossible.2.

We have been researching our market and are very ready to buy an investment property.

Given your background and interest in foreclosure and pre-foreclosure purchases, here are some pieces of advice to help you succeed in this niche market.

I'm a new out-of-state investor excited to get into the Cleveland market.

Hey Shai, we have an office in South Jersey and 4 rentals in the area, so we know the market for sure!