Remember with land, often you may need to owner finance the sale and that cold keep your money tied up for years and create additional expenses. 

As I'm sure you already know, speaking with an attorney who specializes in such ventures is a must to keep you out of an orange jumpsuit!

As such, I would suggest being very conservative with your cash as loosing principle will be quite impactful.I understand your desire to earn the highest return possible, but keep in mind that you often need to take on higher risk to get a greater return. 

we have not had trouble keeping our properties rented in Carbondale.

Raleigh is an appreciation market - keep that in mind.

Any way you could buy a outdated home and add value while keeping list price down? 

I'm thinking of keeping the 2bedrooms at the current rate. 

If the duplex is listed at $515k, you could probably qualify and use your VA loan for the unit you are living in, and they will be able to use the projected rental income of the second unit to cover that difference. keep in mid that loan limits vary by County. 

But I feel like I can't get an attorney to help they keep saying i have to prove Jerry (step dad didn't own them anymore) well the bank just proved it right?

@Matthew Spiers, do you plan on keeping the property as a rental property or will you be selling it?