This is a great area with plenty of opportunities to grow as an investor.Feel free to reach out if you ever want to chat about deals, strategies, or just connect with other local investors.

I'm a leader, not a boss, but they see and hear far more than I do so I'd be an idiot not to listen to my team.I think as you grow and expand, you too will do the same whether as a Transactional Lender or anything else you do. 

The fastest I've seen personally is a few days, with a reinsurance policy through Metro Title (they were on Glenwood Ave in Raleigh, but I think they moved.)

The primary advantage is the tax-deferred or tax-free growth—like other IRAs, any profits from real estate investments grow without immediate tax consequences, which can significantly boost your retirement savings over time.

It remains the fastest growing metro in the US and also a top market for job growth.

Also, What do you consider growing to a moderate size?

Quote from @Kody Smith: without getting too deep into my finances, what my strategy is...1. take loans to buy properties (leverage)2. fix/flip for day to day cash flow income3. use some of the fix/flip income to buy consistent cash flow through:- business acquisition, - commercial properties (MF and store fronts),I have no intention of doing ALL of the management myself, I will hire management as needed (medium term goal)my expected core role is money provider, evaluating the numbers, making decisions, and connecting with investors, wholesalers, lenders, contractors, and property owners.while I am just on step 2 of the journey, I am looking toward step 3 to stabilize, and not worry about if house prices drop mid project or not (or not worry as much) So to be fair this is more about obtaining and growing a real estate business not simply buying rentals for cashflow.

As I look to grow, I’m considering joining a coaching/mentorship program like Partner Driven or something similar.

With the right renovations, we saw it as an ideal project to maximize returns in a growing market, especially with our experienced partner, Seth Choate, by our side.

I would start with single family and small multifamily to get familiar with the real estate market and make sure this is something you're passionate to do for the next 20 years and then grow into bigger multifamily deals.I hope this helps.