As for Raleigh, if you’ve already seen the success of Airbnb-ing rooms there, it’s worth exploring further, as it’s a growing market with plenty of demand.For alternative strategies in Greensboro, look into renting by the room, especially for professionals or students.

The current monthly payments from all units will remain constant for 35 years, but obviously the value of those payments will be worth far less 35 years from now due to inflation.

Also worth considering are banks you have a prior relationship with.Also, I took a quick look at the HELOC loan originator you listed.

So the average home was $100-$110k, I put down $20-22k, and 10-15 years later they are worth $420-$600k and they are paid off.

It instantly has $50-70k worth of built in equity right away!

More agents = more commission generally, but if you're new a good  experienced buyer's agent will be worth it. 

I purchased a 4 unit in Dec 2021 in Pt Loma (Worth ~$2.5M then, now worth ~$3.4m). 

You'll have to ditch the seller financing and have skin in the game.Freddie also requires that borrowers meet minimum financial strength requirements (IE - liquid assets equal to 9 month's P&I [bare minimum], net worth greater than or equal to loan amount [bare minimum], FICO>=680). 

Even if the cost of the rehab doesn't increase the value of the property much it might be worth while BECAUSE you are doing the rehab to maximize RENTAL income NOT ARV because its a rental and you aren't doing a BRRRR. 3.

Our attorney told me just return the money as the brain damage of going to court and potentially losing (court is really just rolling the dice - small claims court is not about justice and the law but what the "judge" thinks is "fair") is not worth the possible gain.We always sign a lease and any funds paid are first applied to rent and the SD is collected last.