Do you need cashflow now or you looking for this more down the road as properties appreciate and increase in value.If you are not needing cashflow now and it's more an appreciation play of having when you retire then you have one strategy.

I haven't had any issue on getting significant value increases on places I've done work on (Best case was $35k to $148k in 9 months) because the work was easily quantifiable, taking a income-producing property from making nothing to something in a very short time frame.If the Reynoldsburg marketplace places value on green upgrades, then you'll be fine, however if the marketplace in that area doesn't put value on the upgrades you've performed it might be difficult. 

I can potentially get it for $130,000 and put 12-15k in it to increase the value 10%.

I think that house hacking in the area is 100% a great idea even if it doesn't cover your costs completely and will work out way better than renting in the long run unless you have some random great rental deal (that seems to happen from time to time in Boston where you have an old school landlord who doesn't realize that rents have drastically increased) You need to live somewhere. 

I do not know the typical rent/value ratio in JC, however I do know that it had one of the top 10 highest average rent increases of any city in the country for 2018.

This would mean not being able to claim depreciation, interest, etc.Alternatively, if you and your husband owned the property out-right, then this wouldn't be an issue.However, if it is done this way, your brother won't qualify for section 121 exclusion if the event the property increases in value significantly.Again, a lot of moving pieces.

But assuming you come to a good value for you, you could likely increase that dollar amount for the same net cost to you long term if he will hold a note at low or no interest avoiding larger bank loans.

What can you guys suggest to increase cash flow to the property?

As housing in California continues to skyrocket in expense, it increasingly makes sense to leave.

Mortgage payments would increase if you take out more of a mortgage, or if the rate moves upward.