Hey @Charity C MillerWelcome to BP and way to go on making the decision to pursue RE investing and taking back your time! 

I also have limited capital and entering a market as expensive at this is not the best decision for the time being.

He would likely be able to discuss your situation and explore all possible options, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals and needs.I can provide his contact information if you want.

If 2 business owners create a contract, are their signatures enough to make it a binding agreement or would getting the contract notarized be a wiser decision?

It was an easy decision a few years ago when rates were lower, but now I don't think as much. 

Richmond is a wonderful place for real estate investing, with its expanding economy, variety of neighborhoods, and affordable property prices compared to bigger cities.If you want to further your real estate investment journey in Richmond, it's important to stay informed about market trends, connect with fellow investors, analyze properties thoroughly, consider various financing options, diversify your portfolio, manage your properties effectively, and stay well-informed about real estate investment strategies.

What's important is that you get the information you need.

I have spent a lot of time searching through posts on these forums to get an understanding of different directions and investment decisions that interest me, however I realize times are dynamic and what investments worked 2 years ago may and most likely  would not work the same in todays world. 

And, when you do all of this stuff yourself, it makes it SO much easier to put an inventory list together so you have information on everything in the property (where you bought it, price, SKU #'s, etc) so when something breaks, needs repair, needs replacement, etc, it's that much easier to handle. 

Any information or experiences are appreciated.