Call every local investor agenda (look at the agents that have investment property listings and call them) and call every local landlord that owns multiple properties (you can get lists off of Deal Machine).

My first offer was $35K below their asking price, but they countered to bring my offer up $10K, so now we are at market value.

I am majoring in Architecture so I will be NCARB certified and have a license in the future.

There's so much good info here.

You pay 10% penalty plus taxes (lets say state and federal of 25%) - so you are paying $70k in taxes so your $200k is now $130k.

There is so much to see and do there.Murrells Inlet has many great seafood restaurants! 

So I’m looking to leverage my current homes equity to use as a down payment for my next primary residence.

If so I'd lean on that and maximize the piece that creates the best ROI.

And would they be willing to do financing for you so you don't have to pay cash up front? 

I truly believe the first rental property is the most important, less so financially, but most importantly to get you in the investor mindset and make it real!