I'm also interested in the Rocky Mount and Wilson area but have been stuck in the education or "analysis paralysis" stage. 

Without a solid job/W-2 income, you're going to have to rely on the good graces of the seller and your negotiating skills.Be sure to exercise caution not to overleverage at this stage.

There were several round tables in the middle for members to sit, a stage to the right and all around the perimeter were tables where vendors, such as finance people, real estate lawyers, etc set up to promote their businesses.

I am in the beginning stages of "shopping" for a lender to purchase my first owner-occupied investment property.

They would be involved in the process at some stage and now would be a good time to get them involved.

You're still in negotiation stage, only YOU don't know it.Put all the terms you want in a list.

To make customers happy you must start when you say, keep the customer informed at all stages of the project, do not take any initiative without getting client approval, have crew working every day on site and finish all work when agreed. 

If you want to scale your business excel is just not a feasible long term option especially when it comes to follow up appointments, diligent note taking, recording phone calls, tracking deal stages etc.  

Contact a LICENSED real estate agent to see what options are available or contact Hawaii Foreclosure Information Center at http://cca.hawaii.gov/hfic/

The reason the area peaked my interest is because of Austin Peay University, along with the new and upcoming Google data center.