Now that a city official shared my vision, he actually advocated for me within the circles i wasn't allowed in, and has been the reason for the forward progress. 

The other thing I would mention, just to play a bit of devil's advocate, is what is this LLC and group providing you?

Some advocate one property per LLC.The primary purpose for an LLC is liability protection. 

Maybe I want to buy 4 properties - but I buy one superstar property that blows my goals out of the water.

The operating company takes on all of the liability that would otherwise blow back on you including: paying property management, paying contractors, collecting rent, marketing, etc.5th pillar is owning everything anonymously.

If your mortgage company won't advocate for you on this, then try Carter Campbell at ALV Mortgage - tell him I sent you.

You don't have to get a blow your mind 10% cap rate to make sense, especially with you cutting out some of the expenses along the way.

It blows my mind these section 8 tenants are living in half million dollar homes.

I'm a huge advocate of house-hacking, and you're definitely on the right track with your thought process.I ended up house-hacking in a SFH. 

We have this thing in our neighborhood called a park, and I know this might blow his mind, but we go there and play baseball... with a bat!