If I finance a property as an investor (not a resident) on a duplex that is occupied with long term tenants and I put 20% down, would it be realistic for me to qualify if I have a high fico and the rents offset the mortgage? 

Since a family member is owner-occupying, this should be feasible.

The idea of having tenants pay for my mortgage while occupying one of the units.

He's helped us navigate a few tenant issues while selling occupied properties.

I file for "owner occupied" status and have the mortgage interest fully/partially deducted on my tax returns. 

My background: I am a new to real estate/BP and looking to score my first owner occupied rental in a highly competitive market (Northern Jersey).

It would be owner occupied (by me) indefinitely and I can rent or sell for a profit in the future.Questions on what I have proposed:1.

Househacking is definitely the way to go to get started... granted I was always told by mentors of mine that living in a property is ideal before going through with a non-owner occupied investment.

Are there any builder websites that might show a # of different property builds that might be optimized for something like owner occupied or tiny multi-family/duplex?

MIP is very high (I live in San Diego) and while I've only been in my home (duplex, owner-occupied) for a little over a year, I have made some upgrades and the local appreciation might have me at around 85% LTV.