Or should I buy multiple units in different parts of the country? 

Two countries.

Would I/they have to pay any fee beside the court records fee?

Personally, the only reason I would be investing in an area besides my own is that my money would translate better in that distant area, so if the 1% rule is really hard to come by in Richmond and they go fast to locals buying all cash...and you have no real reason why you are choosing Richmond (i.e. family there, friends there, contacts there, love the city, have history with the city), then why not go where there are deals that can still meet your criteria...and that goes for all over the country not just Hampton Roads.

If a tenant has removed their belongings, why would they motion the court to move their stuff back????

We also do Asset management for our of state/country investors.

On a per capita basis, the city has the highest rate of homicides per 100,000 in the country.

The tenant was served the notice of the court date.

One tenant i got a warrant of removal after non-payment of March rent at the court, now he went back to show Order of Cause to elongate process etc.

I do check court records for evictions.