Depending on your circumstances, an agent will likely already know an attorney that might fit your profile better (i.e. 1st time homebuyer, investment property, condo, etc) as some tend to perform better with certain deals.Moral of the story, save yourself some stress and time... let an agent start working for you. 

heres the situation, about 4 years ago due to of course unforseen circumstances we walked away from our home, we did talk with a bankruptcy attorney at the time and he suggested we walk away from the home because at that time the home was not worth what we had paid for it(home is in Hawaii).

We were originally going to get the mortgage to close Early to mid-Feb of this year after we could demonstrate a year of rental income on another property we own for a conventional loan.Since having signed on this home, unforeseen circumstances have really pulled us toward moving to Missouri, which is thousands of miles away. 

Under the circumstances you have to assume you were not the only investor the seller contacted about their impending problem.What state is this condo in -- and is there a statutory framework of protections for homeowners in foreclosure and was it followed?

Most problem properties, if they're not a victim of circumstance (i.e. in a bad neighborhood or next to the city dump) are problems because of the way the landlord has run the property and because of the tenants that have been placed into the property.

But he could establish distinct and separate credit. 

Which supports your argument earlier, a vertically integrated GC that is doing rehabs themselves has a distinct advantage. 

What other things should I be looking into and what other due diligence is mandatory in this circumstance?

Is this too much or too little based on the circumstances?

Firstly, that probably means it's a better deal for the seller than it is for you, but, I don't know all the surrounding circumstances, and, I do believe buying is better than renting!