Affordable housing is RED-hot at this time, especially if it's decent 3br+ housing sub $2k.   

Raleigh/Cary is definitely competitive..it's a booming market, but your $30K in cash gives you some solid options, especially for a BRRRR strategy.If you're looking for slightly lower-cost entry points, here are a few markets to consider:Greensboro, NC: Staying within your home state, Greensboro offers a more affordable market compared to Raleigh.

If someone is living on a property they cannot afford, they simply move to a smaller place somewhere else for half the price and problem is solved.

It's going to be more about your confidence in the market that you can afford than anything else, so the primary thing is to look up a few areas you might be able to afford and then look for someone local that can hop on a call to give you an idea about what investing there is like. 

It’s known for its affordable property prices and steady rental demand, which makes it an attractive option for reliable cash flow.

The average younger and naive investor cannot afford to tolerate a 30% loss and then continue investing in any type of real estate, afterward.Why do I write the negatives about investing?

I would purchase a duplex (or even better, purchase a SFH with as many bedrooms as you can afford and rent by the room), and then slowly improve the property. 

Last summer, we finally decided we weren’t going to be able to afford to rehab the house in Indiana and we were tired of driving an hour every time the grass needed mowing.

@Joseph M. prices have gone up in places like Lawerenceville and others, but still pretty affordable in most of the city. 

It is usually allowable up to 6 - 12 months after the purchase. 3.Buildings are determined as commercial or residential based on the official cadastral category by the local council.4.Commercial mortgage LTV Max 60% depending on the specifics. 5.Not an issue using foreign income for affordability calculations if salary is taken into account. 6.Property valuation is conducted by a valuation company requested by the bank. 7.Residential mortgages can be up to around 80% LTV depending on affordability. 8.