Also, there will be a STAR report which will provide average occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per available room, supply, demand, etc.

Research what needs to be done as far as a formal eviction process, since that is ultimately what you will be doing here if the occupant doesn't want to leave. 

I'm curious I thought I saw someone say banks are checking to make sure you're really living in the building if you're claiming owner occupancy.

If you are a veteran you can use VA loan with 0% down payment ( I wish I am one ).You can read books about creative financing like seller financing and partnerships.I forget to tell you that with FHA loan I think you need to be owner occupant!

Door-knocking (if you're personable and skilled at talking with people) can generate you several more deals in the neighborhood but so can direct mail when done right.You're on point with your intentions with the neighborhood occupants.

I'm not normally going to do cash for keys in my rentals, because I have screened the tenants to the extent where their defaulting is unlikely; but they have a history of demonstrating "good character" so if they defaulted I'm confident  they would do the right thing and move.But removing occupants who are former owners after sheriff sale, now that is a different story.

The AMT of course does not help- but we will see...Again- if real estate investing was my occupation, different story.

The answer is, it depends..As @Brian Schmelzlen indicated, both the house and senate bill have switched the 2 of 5 occupancy requirement on your personal residence to 5 of 8. 

Perhaps there was some confusion on the owner occupancy part as @Steve Babiak suggested?

Generally, all FHA and VA loans are assumable...by owner occupants.