I'm just curious if others look at their primary residents as an investment and treat it that way.

Your primary home isn't an investment, it's an expense. 

As a first investment would I be better off living in as my primary for a year to get the wheels rolling and gain experience? 

Is this your primary residence you want the loan on?

My primary concern  is the lien as you can see.

I moved from my primary residence and rented it out while I moved away for my job.

This year I'd like to make a move in another market but I am also trying to buy my first home (primary residence).  

Like an attorney.For a CPA, your primary consideration should be someone who intimately understands the type of transactions you're doing. 

The payments on a 401k loan are not tax-deductible (unless loan is to purchase primary residence, I am not a CPA so this should be confirmed with the tax expert).4.

I'm sure someone who is a lawyer here can provide some better pointers on this end, but you don't ever want to be the primary mediator when something is bigger than the most mundane issues between tenants.