My question is, does anyone have any tips or advice on the best way to spend this year that will continue to propel (even accelerate) our RE investment journey? 

Our ADU has a long-term tenant, so it sounds like I should be able to show the lease and inquire at the assessor's office about decreasing the tax rate to 4% then (thank you for the tip on that, Troy!).

That could be helping them in return or giving them a small gift as a thank you.

I am fairly new to real estate investing and was looking forward on any tips or advice on how I can get started in my local area.

Its the book that really inspired me to invest out of state and offered actionable tips for out of state investors.

@Michael Penny   The buyer is the state itself, and there aren't necessarily any tests, though the state agency has been known to do so basically unannounced / unsolicited (if they get tipped off etc) particularly in the wetlands areas which they have greater regulatory jurisdiction over.

What are 1-3 most important tips in Real Estate Investing that you wish you knew when you first started out? 

Would love to connect sometime.I appreciate the tips, @Kyle Kershner.

What tips can anyone give on past experience?

@John Buffet, you'd need to ask a mortgage professional, but depending on your price point, I believe the FHA allows gifting for some or all of the down payment.