Sometimes the use of another agent pays, let them show it and submit the contract, your agent will fight as to which contract was received and presented first.If that listing agent is doing some buddy deal, contact the seller and tell them you want to make an offer, underhanded types may avoid receiving an offer or delay it to get their deal done.

I'm in the research phase as well and just south of Charlotte in Lake Wylie, SC.I've been looking towards Fayetteville because I've got a lot of army buddies out there and potential for rentals.Good luck!

My buddy Mike Cantu is a legendary whokesaler who also works your (farm) market. 

He may also be able to tell you if there are any meetups, or point you in the direction of other investors there, etc. as I know he still has connections there.Let me know if you need anything buddy!

Multifamilies / commercial have higher interest rates so one can't compare it to your buddy's screaming hot deal for his home.You could pay points to lessen the interest (1 point = 1% of the loan), but the break even I was hearing for my situation was a 5 - 7 year time horizon. 

If your buddies want to get hammered every Friday and Saturday night, and your significant other has completely different dreams than you then yes, they'll slow you down. 

Can you scrounge a boat from a buddy that you can include in the rental? 

You are doing good buddy.

My buddy Account Closed from Boston has given you some stellar advice on how to best utilize BP!

The difficulty comes in determining how you know about that report and if you are giving something to the inspector, the appearance of "He made stuff up so his buddy could get a better deal" is not where anyone wants to be.Good luck and nice working outside the box, but I think I would avoid it.