For context, I will be assuming his VA loan at 5.1% and he will be doing seller financing for the remaining equity and sale price. 

Starting with remote investing, like in Charlotte, can be an option, but it might be worth exploring local opportunities in Orange County too.

If you want to combine two or more lesser sales into one higher purchase that is fine as long as your purchase meets the timing requirements for each sale.  

I just closed today on the sale of the second house and have ended the nightmare!

Durham tends to offer slightly better cash flow opportunities compared to Raleigh, especially if you’re targeting neighborhoods that are up-and-coming but still affordable.

Judges also postpone sale dates for buyers with financing, so cash is likely not necessary to get the date moved.

There's definitely some opportunity with people wanting to make moves post-storm.

Purchase price: $840,000 Cash invested: $75,000 Sale price: $1,200,000 Full renovation of all 4 units.

Your plan can be something rough like: I own a piece of vacant land at (address), and I'm looking to rezone it from (current designation) to (new designation) in order to build a new construction duplex which will consist of  2 condos for sale, or 2 aparment rentals, eg.

If no one but owner-occupants can STR... then that should mean opportunity for owner-occupants who STR their primary residences in many jurisdictions.- Large remodels or construction projects (Live in Flip) can be self-managed, worked on directly, and the value add, after 2 years, is largely tax free up to certain limits. - Many areas around the country allow for ADU Construction - house-hackers enjoy similar benefits to remodeling projects by being naturally on-site for ADU construction.