Our properties are completely renovated, have qualified tenants in place paying top market rents and are professionally managed by one our trusting partners.

This isn't something I would leave to Bigger Pockets forums the laws vary widely by state so it would probably be best to look up the law or talk to a professional in your area, (not over the internet) who knows what they are talking about.

Of course if you were to PCS before the 1 yr is up then you are released from the live in requirement.  

It’s possible there would be some orphaned systems.Here's a link to a sample of a lease contract, including terms of default (note that this is an old contract from a company that is no longer leasing, and every company will have their own contract of course): http://nitnelav.com/SunPowerLeaseSample.pdf

My course of action would be to purchase a multi family using my VA, live in one of the units until I move duty stations (about 2 years) , then keep it as an investment property.

If I wait for the full eviction process to run it's course, it may be another month and a half (at least) before the new tenants can move in.

I.e if we would be saving say $1,500 a month in rent over the course of 2 years could use that extra $36,000 in our analysis?

As far as some general criteria/thoughts:- My workplace is in the Cobb/Vinings area and I would ideally like to be a < 30 min drive to work (though I don't mind if its up to 1 hour away since that is my current commute)- I'm interested in using a FHA loan to put ~5% of a down payment (3.5% down pmt + 1.75% upfront mortgage insurance premium)- My target all-in purchase price range is between 200k - 400k - I would prefer to live in a 'A' or 'B' class property that I could rent another unit to a young or established professional/college or grad student- Just from discussion with my friends, a lot of them seem to dig living in areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia Highlands, Brookhaven, Lindbergh.. how feasible would it be for me to househack in any of those areas and expect to generate a decent return in the future once I move out and rent out my unit?

I would be highly cautious with your proposed course of action for a variety of reasons:1.

So my guess is your accountant will let you treat it all as capital gain (interest on the note excepted off course).When you accept a note as part sale you will pay all of the tax but it will be prorated as you receive payments.