I have not, but have several notes I can sell. 

With that being said, I also feel like I have A LOT to learn still, but eager to start the process of buying my first rental property!

Warning:If you depreciate a property down near zero and then have to sell your property at a loss during a situation of distress...You could end up giving all the proceeds to the bank AND owe the IRS a big chunk of money for recapture.Long-term tax planning with real estate needs to be coupled with risk management and making sure you don't lose any properties.

I hired a surveyor,  engineer and ran through the process with the city myself. 

When you sell a property owned by the IRA - this is not a taxable event.

What I would like to are some reading recommendations for learning the meat and potatoes on the processes of completing rehabs, and the processes of working with contractors?

Or maybe sell all 8 and roll it into a 10 plex.

Would have to go through a court process if want to negotiate a different amount 

I am in the process of shopping for an insurance company for a rental property here in VA.

When you finance the purchase of the property you have to go through the whole underwriting process which can take 21-30 days.