Some charge an additional fee for that, I don't, I'm actually routing for them.I'm sure others will chime in and fill some gaps in my thoughts.

Given you qualify for one, an FHA loan allows you to put 3.5% down instead of 10% or 20% which are typically down payment percentages done with conventional mortgages.More info on FHA loans can be found here: http://www.biggerpockets.com/mortgage/fha-loans/An FHA loan is the route I'm going to go for financing when I buy my first property in Spring 2016.

Would love to hear your recommendations/insight regarding the route I should take?

Again, though, you could rent out the 2 units and live in the basement yourselves, if you wanted to go that route, and then possibly work on converting it to a 3 family in the future.

Are there any other routes that would allow that to happen?

I think I am going to try that route. 

Is this a good route to take?

So you could probably go this route as well, for me I am looking for cash buyers or, buyers that have financing in place their are some great deals in and around my area.

Not sure how many of you decided to go this route, but if all goes well I will post about my experiences.

This is the ideal route because you will get a paycheck immediately and you'll accelerate your learning.