Can't express how excited I am that I finally GOT STARTED!Completely new to real estate investing but I have been slowly working to generate the capital for my first investment for years.This duplex was purchased with...

We learned about house-hacking so we got a few roommates.

I thought my first deal strategy was to get a MFH with a FHA, and do a house hack.

I usually sort of "hack" the rental calc to make my STR analysis work out for a yearly average.The big thing I'm having trouble finding help with is something more geared toward development. 

I'm looking for a roommate, let's hotel hack. 

Just from the info you gave above, a house hack or even Air BNB in your house when you are gone on the job might be the best start for you, if allowed in that county in WA.

We will be owner-occupying/house-hacking it for about a year.

So I found one that I liked but it has 1 tenant that is in there until 2022 paying below market rent and then the other tenant's lease expires in November so I would removing them and moving into that side.Ultimately, I do want to have this as an investment so I would most likely house hack if I got the SFH to get some cashflow or Airbnb the rooms.

On a personal level, I think the easiest way to start is by House Hacking so you live for free and that opens up some cash to get started on your second property. 

I was considering expanding home to due to mortgage balance being roughly 64k and property value around 393k , but with the cost of construction made more sense to turn it to assets if possible and house hack with my brother on multi family else where .