@Kayla OwHey Kayla, I am investor here in Indy and I recommend a company called A Step Ahead Management, www.astephome.com Let me know if you have any other questions or want to look at any properties in Indy.

That's a big step and most of the people I know who have high net worth are very good at capital preservation. 

I'm absolutely terrified of Newburgh - I went to visit, and I didn't step one foot out of my car. 

A buddy was telling me that he heard of a method of getting financing via buying an established company and leveraging the company's equity to obtain financing.Is this real/legit or should I tell him to beware?

But with our above mentioned goals, buying 10 acres out in the country isn't exactly step one of building a buy and hold empire. 

I am new to bigger pockets and wanted to connect to see advice on next steps for RE investing.

Your first step is to learn your state landlord tenant regulations.

I am fully not equipped to move forward just yet, but what is the usual next step after finding a motivated seller in terms of conversation with them?

Virginia landlord tenant law is fairly specific about proper steps to take, so follow it. 

Investing is not a way to get out of debt it is a method used to make your money earn it's keep.