I invest very close to your market. In that market, I own only duplexes. I am getting 15-20% cash-on-cash returns. My properties were not purchased distressed, though each has needed between $2-5K of minor deferred maintenance corrected.
I wish I could tell you that there was a magic to it, but the truth is that I am just fairly picky (though I don't think excessively so). I know that some people find the occasional diamond in the rough, and hope that I will happen upon one some day. My properties, though, are just solid, unglamorous, decent deals. The owner is eager to sell for one reason or another, I manage to get a low offer accepted, I get whatever else I can back upon inspection, and I operate in B-/C+ areas. I am also very very diligent about monitoring *everything* that comes on the market and getting my broker into it ASAP if it's promising. It's unglamorous, but in the end, you kiss a lot of frogs to find the prince ;)
One thing to consider in Columbus is whether it makes sense to pay water as the landlord (as many do in your area) or to drop the rent and bill the tenants for water. When I started investing in Ohio, I was pushed hard to include water. I have since come to believe that this was for the convenience of my property manager, after talking to a lot of landlords there who bill their tenants for water. I'm moving to add submetering to my duplexes, and to use a new lease where the tenant will pay water/sewer. Even after dropping rent $50/mo, I project that I will come out ahead between 900-1000 per year.