I am no expert by any means but I thought I would drop my opinion here. 1) Should I focus on duplex since they're most likely less expensive in my area in category A or B properties, or aim for more units?

You might consider: Consulting a Real Estate Attorney – Your emails may possibly prove misrepresentation.Requesting Public Records – A FOIA request might reveal why the city denied you but later approved the duplex.Escalating to City Officials – Bringing this to local officials could expose inconsistencies.Exploring Tax Write-Offs – A CPA might help offset your financial loss, if it is possible.I’d definitely seek legal advice.

My thinking immediately turned to researching local rental costs per square foot to determine income potential with triple the current square footage.

Certainly one account for each LLC, (separate for security deposits based on your local rules)

I believe it to be a little Southern California hidden treasure for cashflow, mainly class C but if you know what you are doing its a really good option to invest locally in CA with decent returns.

A few years later, I hired a local Wyoming attorney to create a living trust.

I've been studying different real estate strategies and would love to understand more about how the permitting process is evolving in that area.Did the realtor mention any specific changes in local ordinances, or was it more of a general observation based on market trends?

Educate yourself on the local market, network with other investors and agents, and always have a solid plan in place before making any investments.

This shows the importance of networking locally, building your connections and your "tribe". 

Hey gang - A partner and I just started a local RE investor meetup.Q: For anyone that attends these regularly or runs one....what are some of your best practices/tips/tricks to keep your audience engaged and growing?