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.

Also, you can possibly take equity out of your current properties instead of taking out a construction/hard money loans.Purchase and Rehab Financing:If you are doing simple purchase and rehab (not ground up), then it's not that hard to qualify and you just need to right broker/program.

Is there any specific area where you could use some support or advice?

You do have to purchase at least as much real estate as your net sale if you want to defer all tax.TICS are generally cash deals. 

@Brandon Stelling As a military veteran with 100% VA disability benefits, you can leverage VA home loans to purchase properties with no down payment, no PMI, and favorable terms, including multi-family properties for house hacking. 

Purchase price: $160,000 Cash invested: $35,000 Purchased this property as a turnkey investment at the 1% rule moving equity from another deal.

However, I do know 2 investors who have purchased 70+ unit properties via seller outreach, but it takes time.

How many deals have they historically reviewed to find one purchase?

- You can buy using FHA 203(k) loan which allows you to finance repairs into the purchase mortgage.If you find you like being a landlord, you can BRRRR a property every year.You can also start BRRRing rentals w/o planning to live in them.

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