I have analyzed a lot of properties & the surrounding area of a property but never an entire market. 

Does anyone have recommendations for portfolio lenders in the Raleigh-Durham / surrounding areas?

Merrilville and the surrounding areas would be a decent place to invest and you will find plenty of other investors are there, so it is just about finding the right lending partner.

I also was searching for houses for flipping, but all those distressed houses are located in downtown where crime rate is high and surrounded by not so good neighbors.

I've pulled and replaced toilets, pulled and replaced light fixtures, sheetrock, installed flooring, and she'd painted, scraped floors, installed a shower surround, and refinished tubs and sinks.

I would talk to the tenants, speak to those in surrounding buildings, look at the amount of time between when a unit went vacant until it away rented again, etc.I would think the location would be a detracting thing if someone is aware of the noise but as you said the convenience could win out.

Raleigh, North Carolina and surrounding areas are seeing delays in completion of new home construction and increase prices of materials too.

Most of these spaces are surrounded by like-use real estate or zoned only for such purpose.

Hey @Shareef Hood—there are some meetups still going in the surrounding areas, but to my knowledge the few CLT specific meetups that went on before COVID have subsided likely due to COVID.

Anytime I have a large commercial property, I call the surrounding owners and it usually sells fairly quick.Good luck!