Cash out would take me from a 7.25% rate to 8%, which is a few hundred dollars per month, and they will likely make me wait all through March to do the cash out to meet seasoning which is another $2400 interest payment I could avoid if we could refi by the end of this month.

As long as it meets "minimum" size standards it can look like a broom closet and be considered a bedroom... ridiculous, but it's out there, and in a tight market people will pay for it... 

Looking forward to meeting others in the area. 

I'm also very open to meeting other investors and to exchanging ideas. 

I think the right investor would do 2 units long term one unit short term. this strategy allows you the greatest flexibility. we are also developing an extended stay hotel that's 58 rooms. the size of the average room in that is 216 square feet and rents for a target $80 per night. our development cost per room is 100k per room with hard construction. the smaller you go the more money you make. if I was to suggest anything it would be to focus on the smaller part of the market and on multiple unit dwellings and finding and identifying markets that meet similar numbers. that will probably be midwest markets.

If the seller was also a builder and has plans, that could be a great shortcut, especially if they’re already approved or meet local codes.

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.

The best approach is to set clear, written criteria, and then price the property at a rate that gets you enough applicants that you can find a few who meet your criteria reasonably quickly.

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

If you rely on travel time to meet 750 hours, you're playing Russian roulette with the IRS.