The timing for it is sooner than later.

You can accept a deposit before the start of the lease and another after the 12 months and use that as a down payment towards the home.It's also worth noting that Texas is one of the states where you can retire a title (or SOL) to the land and also separate it again later if needed.

This is has been horrible story for us...This horrible tenant had finally moved out, found out later from the neighbor he is under warrant arrest by the police the last 2 weeks before he is moved.

I want to get into a duplex sooner rather than later because this job may end at any moment which may make me harder to qualify for a loan (I am prequalified now for up to $360k) since my job history will look less stable.

Two weeks and multiple books and blogs later, and I'm beginning to build a plan for my future.

Five years later he got married but never changed title (very common). 

I suppose I could always request rezoning or a special use permit from P&Z later on, but I would like to get some answers now before I go under contract.  

And then look at refinancing into conventional financing to drop FHA MI six months later.

We looked into the Illinois land trust and that seemed to be a good option for us, so we had our lawyer set it up. 1000 dollars later when we are about to get the appraisal ordered the bank says they want to see the entity paper work.  

Like Lil Wayne suggests, it might be a good idea to keep your plans quiet then shine later once you've achieved your success.