I am more numerical person as i am an engineer as you can tell.

A good place to start your research is http://firb.gov.au/real-estate/ as there are numerous restrictions and duties that have been implemented at a state/federal level in recent years. 

You also should consider joining the Triangle Real Estate Investors at Treia. 

It always depends on numerous factors. 

I also have a GC who I've known since I was 12 and numerous other people in my network whom I can turn to. 

I'm looking for a coach, someone who has done numerous deals and can walk me through all of the steps.

purchase price per door has a direct correlation on long term risk.you will never know on these assets how it works until you have owned them 3 to 5 years and have been through numerous turn overs.

In the triangle area of central NC, that would be the Triangle Business Journal.

The housing stock that would have potential cash flow is going to be your pre-1980 townhomes and ranchers built around the Triangle/Quantico/Southern Dale City/Southern Woodbridge/Dumfries areas.   

What's crazy is that there a numerous "second homes" in this project where the owners obviously have offsite mailing addresses (Monterey, CA).