My wife and I are looking for tax and legal professionals in the Northern Virginia area who are knowledgeable with rental properties and small businesses (LLC).  

So just be ready for that hurdle and link up with someone knowledgeable that can help you through that process.

I appreciate any time you take to add knowledge to this newbie here.

That's a good start while you have W-2 income, and it will start you developing a knowledge base for managing a property and also start creating a track record of your performance.

Andrew, there are several very knowledgeable accountants here on BiggerPocekts who are experienced with REI.

Quick edit to ad I have checked the bigger pockets directory for HML, but I’m still looking for recommendations for local lenders willing to work with a new but knowledgeable investor.

I think if you have "boots on the ground" in place in NY and/or don't mind making the trip then you should take advantage of your knowledge of the local market.I am not sure where you are getting your list of apartment owners from, but I typically use a cheap postcard on my first mailer to "scrub the list". 

I didn't get past the first call before picking mine, as the Realtor I spoke with sounded like a wealth of knowledge mixed with incredible interpersonal and negotiation skills. 

@Dave Foster is a wealth of knowledge... lives and breathes this.

Sorry I am not more knowledgeable on the subject- I use a local CPA, Deweese & Associates and she takes care of it for us.TristanP.S.