If our strategy pans out, if we have 2-5 years of strong financials (high cash-flow properties), I don't think we'll have any issues getting a portfolio loan from any bank that offers them.

Also, don't put yourself in a financial situation where you feel as if you have to rent your unit ASAP. 4)- Plan, plan and plan some more.

i am a self-employed contractor looking for a way to i invest in rel estate to obtain financial freedom to be able to spend more time with my three year olds son 

@James Fulmer that is an awesome idea that I suggest to almost everyone getting started with investing.Welcome to BP, there is lots of info here that will educate you on selecting a duplex that meets your personal and financial needs.What part of NC will you be relocating to?

Your parents already own a home, and you currently live with them, you seem close to them and you know better than anyone else what their financial situation is like.

With both of us debt free, we are starting our wealth accumulation/building phase of our life, and we know we need three things from previous research weve been doing, that is paper assets (jobs,401k,Roth IRA, Tax Accounts...), Business (have a few ideas of some businesses), and what brings us to this awesome place, REAL ESTATE. 

They might be asking a low cap rate where the debt numbers only work at a 50% ltv.An example might be a client of mine buys a retail Starbucks at a 5.5 cap rate for 2,500,000.

I did something similar, after a long career in something unrelated to real estate and only after I had some experience like you in acquiring rental properties, some property management experience, I realized that if I devoted more attention to it I could accelerate my growth, get financial freedom and be fine.  

First thing is to get through school with as little debt as possible.  

I have been warned about giving out too much information about the property online, as there are laws providing that tax debt can be paid in some states, by 3rd parties, who then can require up to 2x the amount in fees in adidition to repayment of the taxxes.