( need to know this in order to determine if you can rent it without losing )  If selling in 1-2 yes - you might have the ability to break even assuming present appreciation pace continues ..... if you will need financing - get pre approved as you want to be prepared in case an opportunity arises... the neighborhoods you mention are still solid / desirable and good deals don’t last long 

I found a house today that's an awesome deal, in a desirable area in Omaha.

The key to all of this is to get them talking about their"pain" or their "desire" and that to get to the point the pain is gone or the dream is realized, its better to sale to someone who understands.  

As long as you start and you can see your vision and your goal in your mind you can achieve your end desire. 

Such as reassurance of a good family with no destruction history etc, to make us more desirable, and instead of $2600 a month I could ask for $2500 a month for a year of rent Or something like that.

As far as neighborhoods in Raleigh, the most desirable place to live is "inside the beltline", aka. 440, aka downtown Raleigh. 

It is in a desirable/safe area with plenty to do nearby.What do you do in your experience when seller is asking high price compared to their current rents?

It hits my cash flow desires.

Let me begin by giving you my (general) end goals: I am not interested nor desire to become a full time real estate investor.

Most are going to be in less desirable areas than sfrs.