The tenants pay through AppFolio and I am disbursed the rent, minus their fees.

To help you in your search: be sure to find an accountant that is willing to grow with you, and is not too high priced fee wise.

Ive made some extra payments on it and the original mortgage of 229k is down to 216.

So if you have good credit, and the asset is good and the deal is good then 90%/100% isn't out of  the questions.So let's say 97k purchase, 60k rehab, ARV 220k.If you get 90%/100%Loan amount 147,300 (87,300 + 60,000)Your down payment: 9,700Origination Fee: 2% - 2,946Service fee: This includes a legal fee, underwriting fee, processing fee, etc: 1,500Title Costs: 1,000Insurance costs: 500 - 600Interest Rate: 11.5% - 12%Payments: 1,000 - 1,400 per month.  

The entry fee on these is typically about 10% of the purchase price + closing costs. 

I am an agent so RE fees will be low.

If we sell for $4.5 mil. after broker fees and the mortgage we could walk away with about $3.5 mil.

The NC (RTP) and surrounding areas are very highly priced and most of them are townhomes with $150-$200 HOA fees which defeats the basic purpose.

Most DSCR loans will carry a  5-year penalty, so I suggest waiting until that is over before paying more than your minimum payment , or you will incur additional fees. 

If matching up to original hardwood transitions may be a challenge.