As long as you have your solid exist strategy, you can  in-fact go through with the transaction, and you have the best of intentions for the seller and your end buyer, "fake it till you make it" is a real thing!

Fat chance you're spending >$720 on replacements for a rental but that's just my opinion. 

Some real estate transactions are clean cut and they feel like walking in a park picking up a big fat check while other transactions are full of landmines require the knowledge and experience to navigate through the process.

Although the payments are higher and the fat is slimmer, I have a larger pot of equity to draw from after year one to leverage and get another property via HELOC.

I would effectively be loosing 10k since that is the principal I have paid down so far on my current loan after 1.8 years + the 10k down payment at closing.Or should I just plan to sell it in a couple years and use the profit for a fat down payment on my next house and also avoid taxes from selling my owner occupied home?

If you can in a way that taxes don't kill ya, sure. 

Soon enough I will have access to 100% of my salary as a real estate agent to deploy towards future assets, working my way towards "Fat FI" and greater time freedom in my 40s & beyond.Lessons learned?

I started a new job 6 months ago as an canine trainer, independent contractor.

As you say, the landlord is always perceived as the villain of the piece, a fat cat who does nothing more than sit back, rake in 'all the money' and count it.

The best deals are usually NOT on the MLS or "turnkey" opportunities.Join whatever Meetups and Facebook groups you can in that area.