A nice SFR (single family rental) brick home or perhaps a duplex but for your first purchase actually, wise to just stick with an SFR to keep it real simple.

Dealing with a mortgage broker and have reached out to my credit union, but looking for suggestions of trusty brokers that the community has used in the past. 

Anyone have any suggestions on where I can find a few good, larger pieces that don't look cheap but also don't break the bank?

Is the process as simple as finding a local builder (one that was recommended has 15-20 yrs exp.)? 

Does any one have suggestions for property management companies they have had success with in the Richmond, VA area?

So simple find someone that does deals, make a few bux for a finders fee.

Do you have suggestions of how to vet people in my REI community?

In my experience, keeping things simple and straightforward with sellers works best.

I do have a contractor bidding it tomorrow, I was just hoping someone would have a rough $/LF or something similar to use for a ballpark, but figured it may not be that simple since it of course depends on specifics.

There are probably going to be other posters that endeavor to layout paperwork suggestions so I will leave something for other keyboard heroes. :-)With that being said what you were doing is definitely a gamble.