They argue that the first few years maintenance would be insignificant since the properties are renovated, and so you're essentially stashing that money away for the future maintenance needs. 

I love real estate and the Richmond, VA area, which is why I wish to pursue a career that can educate me on how I can invest in real estate in the future in Richmond.

At present, I do not have full access to MLS data, though I do intend to obtain my real estate license in the near future.

You’ll make more money today and in the future. 

Should that property be sold again in the future, the property owner would convey all rights to the buyer EXCEPT the oil rights that were no longer the landowner's to sell.

Nobody has a crystal ball or knows what the future holds.

Use these insights to refine your approach for future deals.

As others noted, most municipalities issue future zoning maps which indicate the direction the local planning commission or equivalent wants to take their zoning and if your plans are consistent, that's generally a good indication as well. 

Wishing you all the best in your real estate investing endeavors! 

I point this out not to denigrate Ray, but to illustrate how so often it's very difficult to predict the future of real estate.