Also, if you need a quality GC in the Charlotte and surrounding area please reach out!

My mentor told me I was still charging too low for the value I was providing. 

This is primarily due to two key factors: low inventory (leading to tight margins) and high interest rates.

Instead of moving into another single-family home, consider house hacking a duplex or triplex, this allows you to use low down payment loans (FHA, conventional) and offset your mortgage with rental income, accelerating your path to financial freedom.

Low entry costs How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I will say that during that time, the HELOC interest rates were very low.  

Quality of the tenants2.

3) What neighborhoods would you recommend in this price range if I'm targeting high quality tenants?

It is not low cost.. you need 7-8 rooms per house to make it decently profitable. 

I have heard about low cost granite / stone, i just don't know where to get it.