I will be going the portfolio route as there seem to be too many restrictions and red tape in trying to go through larger banks.  

Can anybody from Charlotte/Rock Hill area recommend a good/affordable contractor for small jobs, with experience in flip/rental projects?

I'm from Los Angeles (Eagle Rock), CA. 

Connor, this is where Wordpress ROCKS!

Raises a big red run flag.

When I found out about them it was too many red flags for me, so we backed out. 

What I always envisioned was turning my current condo into a rental after living there for about 5-8 years (it's in a nice location about a five minute walk to the red line, for those non Bostonians that's one of the train lines that takes you into Boston).

As others have mentioned, home prices in Austin are red hot.

An inspector will be looking for red flags that something is wrong with each system (including but not limited too: Leaks, major code violations, differences between new/old building standards, electrical, plumbing).If you are a wholesaler, hiring a home inspector allows you to create a comprehensive report of major issues found in the home, take a large amount of photos, and create 2 really unique value propositions for you:  1) You have a comprehensive report so you can hand that to end buyers and show them the work required (no more Open Houses!)

He rocks that town for $1000 a pop.