@Grant Anderson, You're looking for a portfolio product that is a perfect project for a local community bank or a local private commercial bank.  

That's why the reverse mortgage is a popular product for seniors looking to stay in the home as long as possible.

I'm left feeling deflated, and often disappointed at what the end product has been stripped down to.

FHA is a great product with little money down, and conventional is a great product - but you have to put 15% down on a duplex and 25% down on 3-4 units for an owner occupied.

In that vein I'd like to meet with brokers who are used to collaborating with investors and who are well-versed in both multi- and single-family product.  

Proper screening and a great product will make that likely to happen.1b.)

@Alejandra PerezFHA can be a great product for a low down payment. 

As for Real Estate Investment Club Meetings, if the subject of the Meeting is not Buying investment property, they are often a waste of time with the pitching of products and services.  

Commercial rates are a higher than traditional mortgage rates but it is the best way to expand your portfolio as there is no limit to the number of properties you can have and there are lots of different types of loan products out their to fit whatever your strategy is.  

In the end, you always want to have the best product out there.