What you describe is the opposite...

If Ohio is a mortgage state with a long foreclosure process then I can see why the lender wants title... they are not a lender at that point as described above but they are a JV partner. 

But if I understood you correctly, then when using a credit partner I would structure it opposite of how you described (e.g., your partner provides the upfront capital needed for acquisition and rehab, and once finished you are added to title and will take out a loan/LOC in your name--from there your partner should compensate you a percentage of equity and/or a percentage of the cash flow for the use of your credit).Just remember, the lender’s security interest in the property is constant regardless of whether the persons listed on the deed are obligated to repay the mortgage loan or not. 

The link below will describe the requirements and limits of the program:MHP ONE Mortgage ProgramAdditional information on this and other MassHousing loan programs can be found here:MassHousing ProgramsNow, much as I would not encourage anyone to be a MA landlord for reasons beyond the scope of this note (you can find tales of MA landlording miseries elsewhere), in your case you mentioned you might consider taking on such a thing.

Do you have any resources or posts of yours that describe that process? 

That seems ridiculously low for just what you described.  

She used a colorful word to describe her father.On the other hand, my attorney suggested waiting 2-4 months after probate is filed, because of what Sharon Vornholt said.

Distressed can take on a lot of forms (stressed out owners, unwanted inheritance, damage, mismanagement, rents under market values, etc) but it's a word we use to describe access to properties for less than fair market value. 

Here are the details I am working with so if you try and describe the steps to me, we are on the same page.Purchase Price - $280,000Mortgage Owed - $250,000Payment to Seller - $30,000 ($10,000 at time of purchase, and $5,000 over the next 4 years)

Both are brick, slate tile pitched roof, basement, replacement windows, hard-woods; both are from the 1920es - I am describing a vanilla building in Ohio, Michigan, Indi, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc...