I attended the hearing/meeting.Basically, he was able to prove that the property was a two family/duplex since the 1950's.

@Daniel Barnett have you attended REIA of Oakland, REIA of Wayne, MREI, Renegade Detroit Investors?

Of course, you won't listen to this common sense because you know more than everyone else here on BP and will have to learn the hard way.So, recommend you find and attend some local investor meetings or commit to watching all the videos and reading all the material here on BP that you can.Good luck:)

The other option would be going to local investor meetups and asking those who attend for good references. 

@Philip JonesI recommend finding local meetups to attend. https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521I have found all of my best connections at local meetups.

You can meet local investors by registering to attend real estate events in your area: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-events-and-happenings6.

You will definitely learn a lot here - reading books and listening to podcasts, attending local meetups and conferences are all great ways to learn, gain advice, share thoughts and network!

From the conferences I have attended, all I have read I think 3x rent is more common but that doesn't mean your PM is wrong. 

Also, I don’t attend college and I do live at home, and as I also said in my reply to Caleb I have already considered and will be trying to implement more frugal spending habits to save up for the down payment I know I need.

You should also try to find and attend as many local meetups as you can to meet and learn from other investors.