Some of these small contractors are basically bankrupt day to day, taking your deposit to finish the last job. 

Nice job and best of luck on your future endeavors!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!

I have no intentions of quitting my job or shutting down my business, but want to  buy and use properties to help grow my equity and help me develop a 20+ property portfolio, creating a nest egg for 15+ years down the road, when I retire. 

Any suggestions would be great!

Suggestions?

This price hike suggests a competitive market, with supply increasing relative to demand by a notable 21.4 percent, resulting in a 1.7 months' supply of homes for sale.This recent development in the Charlotte real estate scene is likely influenced by a combination of factors, including a dip in mortgage rates in December and a nationwide increase in housing supply.

They suggested we refinance a loan of 600k with me on it.

I do live in a lower-income area that is now up and coming (more job opportunities, more infrastructure being built, local amusement parks, close to city, etc).

There's so many catalysts for population and job growth (Intel, Honda, Amazon, Nationwide Hospital, etc).