Continue to scale my personal RE investments and learn!

No problem, I had cash from a refi, a HELOC, and a personal LOC.

Yes, as I'm doing more research, I'm finding that I would prefer to invest in markets that I know personally, so as not to rely on external variables completely.

You'll never get the confidence to invest from another person or guru.

If you're more of a 'personal referral' person than a 'do research online' person, and this is local to you in Manhattan, KS, hit up one or two of the trades people in the "little apple all stars" BNI group.

I would be happy to discuss structure and feasibility as well as insight into my personal finances/personal stake into a deal with serious lenders/prospects.Even if you are reading this post and are not a lender but have valuable insight or experience with flips in Charlotte's market, please don't hesitate reaching out.

However, I think for the average person this is probably not true. 

If one is transferring property title from personal name, a Grant/Warranty Deed would be drafted/recorded to transfer title. 

Spreadsheet sounds like my own personal hell.

Personally (as a STR-focused REALTOR), I would never give you numbers and tell you you can hit them.