What other opportunities would you be missing out on by committing your funds to this project instead?

I have gotten financing on a duplex that was going to owner occupied and had 2 active tenants.you just have to move in, I seem to recall within 30 days, but I haven't ever had anyone ever check in to see if we had moved in.Now for full disclosure, every time we have done an owner occupied loan, we have planned on and eventually moved in, and I would not commit fraud by taking out an owner occupied loan and never move in. 

The paperwork says I have to intend to reside there for the first 12 months and I don’t want to commit fraud.

I’m in this pickle as we speak (commitment up in July 2020)....I know of A couple guys who have gone Guard and are doing real estate on the side.

Commit to 5 years of maniacal acquisition, value add and hold. 

We're really trying to avoid doing a traditional loan, and don't want to commit to living in the place using an FHA loan.

simply do not take anyone's word for this landlock situation.. open escrow get a title commitment and see it it is actually landlocked.. if it is your remedy in the real world. is1. getting a neighbor to grant you the proper easement you will need.2. confirm from the city or county that you can access the property from this new easement..despite common statements folks will make that no property can be landlocked.. and there are remedies this simply is not true.. properties can be landlocked... owners do it to themselves.. not common but it does happen.As for the old house.. sometimes if there is no lead or asbestos fire department will burn them down as an exercise.. ( sometimes)biggest issue in many markets now is the lead paint and Asbestos remediation during the demo.. some areas they don't car.

I am committing my self to this job for at least a year so that I don't have to repay a signing bonus but after that I will be up in the air on what to do.

You should decide to either learn the intricacies involved in this yourself and/or commit to finding the best professionals to help you with it.

I have committed to investing in real estate and buying my first rental property this year.