Prices overall are pretty much flat (although individual neighborhoods are still gentrifying) and supply has finally started to increase.

I do not know about your area but I am pretty sure that the $1,295 fee would be illegal in CA or if not it would be highly unusual. 

I know that I have a lot to learn and that it’ll require quite a bit of effort and time, and I’m willing to do the work, but the problem is that I’m not really sure where I should go to learn more and how to get started now.I've always been pretty frugal, and since I started working full time about two years ago I've saved up about 25k total toward a down payment.

9 percent is pretty darn high

Generally speaking that area is good but it can be block by block.Right now you are at $44K+ per unit which is pretty good for this area, especially because you have 5 - 3BRs.

I have one rental under the belt, so pretty new to investing.

I am pretty new to this and don't have alot of money for a down payment either.

I've had pretty good luck with credit unions lately.

I've heard of local banks funding the same but it's pretty rare and hard to find. 

You can pretty easily learn what they look for, but I personally like the second pair of eyes that's not close to the project.