However, I just reached the decision to sell it an hour before posting this (so that part of the process has barely started).I have an eye on a specific property I really want, but it just went up today and already has 32 saves on Zillow.

But, having said that, here's the list to get you started.

Start clock for this cliente.

I am weeks away from gaining some capital that i think can get me started in my REI journey.

If you start with class D the most likely outcome is that you will learn a lot in a short time and then either trade into better neighborhoods or just get out of REI all together.

Nate Mur thank you,Not getting too attached is the hardest part that I didn't know before I started this project.I have to keep reminding this fact to myself.Thank you

Not sure how many free email advice I get from them before they start charging. 

If not an event, what else could I do to reach out locally to start building these relationships?

Common locations for supply lines to fail are where male threaded galvanized pipe is threaded into brass or copper valve and fitting bodies  (due to galvanic corrosion)  and hot water lines will rust up so badly as to start restricting water flow or begin leaking a decade or two before the cold side fails similarly.   

To me, the most important contact is your contractor in the BRRRR process, so I would start by securing a good 1-2 contractors.