When you talked about the floorplans in Columbus, it made me want to go check as I hear Columbus a bunch and I'm 3 hours away which isn't too bad. 

Check local to you.

Check out this article might be useful.https://weleaseusa.com/how-to-sub-meter-rental-property-cali...

Check out the PA REI group: https://www.meetup.com/Philadelphia-Real-Estate-Investors-As...And keep posting and following here - so much to learn on these pages.  

Check out who is bidding on the properties, there are regular guys at all of these things.

Check with any lender that you might work with to see if they are okay with 'vacant refinances', that will usually let you know if they need a tenant in there or if they are okay with vacant properties (and usually okay with Airbnb-type investments as well).Good luck!

Last two years of tax returns, credit check, pay stub, etc.

Did you do a background check?

Another method is you can search for comps in the area to find a duplex that is similar to your subject property - check the rent of duplexes nearby and make estimates.

Check out some of the great things happening in Detroit in 2024https://michiganchronicle.com/2024/01/03/major-developments-that-will-define-detroit-in-2024/