My main question is will I be happy in 10 years that I bought this property?

Should it simply be one of two choices: deny application or accept application with ESA exemption even if the property qualifies for the FHA exemption?

Based on your description, Party 1 seems like the safer choice.

I am also a licensed EMT, and would love to provide housing for travel nurses, contractors, etc. in that realm since I can relate to them in previous jobs that I've had.I'm looking to invest in these states preferably: Georgia (1st choice - preferably near or south of ATL or in/near Savannah), Alabama, South or North Carolina, and Florida.

From what I see all the people answering to me here (and there are so many) are just coming against and refusing to agree with my simple statement: "a landlord is not above the law or norms by its personal choice or presumed capability to judge what he don't know" or as well "a landlord cannot deny or miscarriage a service to a stranger without a known valid reason and at the same time pretend to be operating professionally or loyally to the moral"Basically I'm telling if you are not able to do your business correctly it would be better to find someone else than you, mainly when your ideas about "squatter" or fair treatment are coming from ignorance or completely invented. 

For the main house, I'd get a washer and drier. 

Depending how much of the neighborhood is a hot zone for renting rather buying, and which Property type is performing better than the other (meaning 1bd 1ba 2 floor renting out faster and much more consistently than a 2bd 1ba 1 floor), you can make your choice of those factors as well as other ones that impact your decision for what you wanna do with your investment.

There are two main factors that you can use to track gentrification, so why can't they be used to track the reverse?

Im hoping to find an investor to help me buy the lot next to mine so i can move up from doing tax deeds.. if not i have my next lot picked out and will continue to invest in them while i fix my credit and learn more on investing.. i have always wanted to be successful in life but drugs and bad choices have kept me from it.. now im proud to say there is nothing that will stand in my way of realizing my dreams Just following up.

While I can't speak for the other markets, Columbus is a solid choice as an investor myself.