It’s experience with breaking stuff you’re after...not a rocket surgeon

Make sure you find yourself a really solid and reliable group of buyers that you can pitch properties to on a regular basis. 

I wanted to know if anyone could recommend a reputable contractor in or close to the Meridian, MS area.

Currently I received a quote from my property management company, from a plumber, for digging up the existing sewer line and rerouting it around the tree roots but was hoping there might be some other recommendations for a reliable plumber to get competitive quote or other options.

Out of the 600,000 mortgage lender licenses currently active in the United States (~0.5% of the population, completely crazy), you picked this one...Credit unions aren't known for speed or reliability in general. 

Good and reliable is a hard combination to find.

Currently I'm working towards buidling out my network of good contractors, investors and in the process of finding a reliable and honest agent to work with.

I'm looking for a reliable and WELL priced contractor.Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

This is absolutely correct.At one point in time I made a calculation how many buyers you need to offload properties to like clockwork, and you only need a handful.Its quality (reliable buyers) here, not quantity!

Otherwise take it as a lesson and go to a more reliable payment method-like cash in hand with receipt issued, or check or ebt.