You can use Lumber Liquidators for hardwood competitive pricing, Kuiken Brothers,Allied Building, Ferguson Plumbing for supplies, Feldman Brothers in Paterson for electrical needs and probably many more i missed. 

When it comes to furniture you should get quality looking product but that doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money on it.

On Zillow is there any way to set it up so they can just e-mail us their info vs setting an appointment time?

Assuming full asking price for conservative numbers.2 Story building with 5 units total, build in 1930.Units are all currently occupied and rent as follows:A - 725/moB - 775/moC - 725/moD - 685/moE - 600/mo(Unit I would look to occupy)Monthly ExpensesP&I - 1350/moUtilities - 900/moTaxes - 140/moInsurance - 200/moProperty Management - 350/moBased on these numbers, I'd essentially be living in Unit E for $30/mo however I plan on managing the property on my own for at least the first year which would result in 320/mo towards an expense account.

This can help with acquisition and rehab of rentals while giving you time to refinance after 12 months into traditional lending products.

A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate sales, wholesaling, flipping, rentals, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.Discounts on some products and services are offered to BP members: https://www.biggerpockets.com/perks/proIf you haven’t been to it already, you might want to check out the BP blog: https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/The site has quite a few tools that can be helpful for new members.

They're just products of the individual banks that offer them, so each lender can make up their own rules. 

Also, you don't have to spend so much money on a turnkey product; $190k for a duplex seems really high.

Statesville, Monroe, Gastonia and Kannapolis/Concord are fine sub markets for the product you seek and you will get a b-or c type product and client with no tremendous long term upside.  

The answer is personal and depends on your risk tolerance, goals, job stability, income, reserves, savings rate, overall financial picture, liquidity, etc.