Also, you can bet I have absolutely jotted down those resources in my collection, thank you! 

Everyone starts with no experience of course and those that have completed deals are a much safer bet than those working on their first. 

And you could refinance into conventional, to free up your VA entitlement... great, so you're "free" to pay another VA funding fee.For your scenario, I'm guessing the best bet would be to leave your VA loan in place, get a HELOC, and boom now you have 20% down, and can once again buy with no PMI, except this time you also will not have that VA funding fee.

Does anyone have feedback on the idea of presenting the tenants with a choice between two leases? 

The DTI number should have been calculated in 15 minutes from when they applied and sent taxes, and offer choices.

100% Personal choice. 

But, my duplex house-hack and rentals were probably a better choice for me based on my finances and other life pursuits when I got into real estate within the last 2 years.

Best bet is to find that for any area you are looking into to get confirmed numbers.

I'll be shocked if you can actually get much cash flow out of them (unless you are putting 50%+ down payment) once you factor in the taxes and high HOA fees but sounds like this is more of a lifestyle choice.

Then they can make their own choice if they're willing to wait if you have to go through an eviction to get them out.