Do whichever best suits your personal situation! 

I'm a little confused, do you already own in all of those states, or are you applying to each then whichever is deemed best after researching you will buy in? 

The current thought is purchase a 4 unit in the spring as a primary home and live in it for a year while renting out my childhood home and purchasing another duplex in the fall to put me at 10 doors, then move back into my house at the end of the year lease and after a year in the 4 unit, whichever comes last.

I hope you have a smooth transaction whichever way you choose to go.

Get it rented as quickly as possible, then hold the departing tenant responsible for the vacancy or 30 days of rent, whichever is less.

Lender will use the middle score of whichever persons score is the lowest.

I would definitely consult/call the property tax assessor's office in whichever county you plan to reside in to be 100% certain as they will be able to tell you. 

If you want to claw back your original investment of $130K, that is fine and you can do that with this property or a different investment (whichever is faster).In your 13% return calculation, include predictable appreciation and principal pay down.Nice work starting this post and being transparent and vulnerable.

In your tax software, you will need to indicate that this fence was a "land improvement" or "15-yr property" - whichever choice the software gives you.

That way, whichever option you choose, you're making an informed decision.