This ship has sailed.If you need a down payment but want to keep the townhouse, you may be able to refinance it instead of selling.You can do a 1031 exchange but cannot PLAN to move into this new place.

HI Julie,You can always start off by house hacking meaning you live in one UNIT or ROOM and renting out the other vacant units/rooms to offset your monthly mortgage payment.There are several ways to run and make sure you are maximizing your rental income while keeping your living expense as low as possible.

there is high crime everywhere in Cleveland, means nothing.

Keep exploring different avenues and stay persistent; I'm confident the right opportunity will come along.

Better to keep them than to evict right now. 

The roof is collapsed and has been for at least 2-3 years which means there's damage throughout the house. 

Keep your money. 

Also keep in mind that fees and charges matter, but a long term vacancy will hurt you more in the long run than a company who can better market the property even at a higher fee structure.

Is it in pre-foreclosure...meaning probably some payments were missed, but they actually haven't taken ownership yet?   

Oh I misunderstood the buyback agreement executed part to mean you sold it.