I've used it for legal questions in the past and just recently used it substantially with the purchase of my new home (primary residence).

I’m looking into using this as our primary residence as a newly weds (will get married in May) and will be our starter home.

However it used to be our primary residence and we became accidental landlords when we moved. 

It is very homey and welcoming to new residents and has a mix of young families and, on the flip side, a lot of people who have been in the neighborhood 20+ years. 

Normally a personal residence isn't an investment, especially the way an average person buys a home.

OTOH, if she bought it in 2006 at the height of the previous bubble, you may not be too bad off.1031 exchanges are for investments only, not your residence.

Would you recommend buying those services for rental and/or personal residences (or neither)?

Only one primary residence per individual or married couple qualifies for the Louisiana Homestead Exemption. 

@Kurt Traynor  FHA isn't only for first time homebuyers, so if you currently don't have a primary residence and are looking to purchase one, you would be eligible for FHA assuming you meet all the credit/income criteria.

I call this my "self-funding" model.I have talked to a few larger banks (who love my income, debt ratio, cash flow and FICO score) BUT will only do a HELOC on a primary residence or a 2nd home.