My google-fu came up short in finding the specific difficulty to which you allude.

It is possible, but difficult. 

Gurus generally don't talk about their mistakes - and they also gloss over the difficulties newbies have to go through.

Especially since you mention the difficulty of getting your wife on board.I think there are serious trade offs you make when buying a duplex (any multi) and living in one unit.  

It has been MONTHS since I started the process in acquiring my first property and have come across text book difficulties such as the tenant not willing to move out (this unit comes from a deceased estate and the son of the deceased mother refused to leave).Long story short and a few months later I managed to get the keys. 

People say you can get started with little money down, and I still have difficulties adding everything up.

Jason, you make several great points and I believe you are definitely right about the difficulty of scaling an airbnb business in Las Vegas to anything more than 8-10 units.

-How difficult is it to qualify for a multifamily FHA/VA loan where buyers occupy a unit and put as little as 3.5% down..

I'm sure a lot of people are having the same difficulty and writing it off.

Nothing could be farther from the truth.i say put them in their place gently and carry a big stick lol.we all face the difficulties of being taken seriously.