You can find something in Durham and parts of Raleigh, specifically zips 27610, 27603, and parts of 27604 that would meet your criteria, however generally speaking most of the inventory that would fit what you are looking for in Raleigh or Durham would likely be in neighborhoods that I personally wouldn't want to invest in, C- to D type neighborhoods.

I'd talk to brokers in your specific asset class and market.Do you already own similar assets?

As I’m saving up for my first investment, I would like to learn more about the industry - and it would be nice to earn some income while doing so.Are there any specific skills or knowledge I need to secure a VA side gig? 

One workaround could be keeping a separate spreadsheet to track your adjusted tax basis accurately and only using Stessa for operational insights.You could also reach out to a cpa and see if they have a specific recommendation for software to use.  

I am going to continue to analyze the market until I am absolutely ready to buy with ample reserves and more specific analysis on comparable properties.

There are financing options based on your specific circumstances. 

Too often, I just hear people say they are "looking for a good deal", but defining that good deal in a specific area makes it much easier to spot. 

I am bullish on the FHA 203k and home-style renovation loans that allow you to leverage the cost of your renovation as part of your mortgage, which is just an insane deal, in my opinion.Do you have a specific area where you want to purchase?

For a yearly lease agreement specific to Phoenix, AZ, you might consider starting with the Arizona Association of REALTORS® (AAR) or another local real estate organization.

Rent control laws are market specific.