Here's my dilemma: I've ONLY seen the good so far in my career.

Another dilemma might be that I'm 19 and have limited credit but have enough even for a 25% down payments (it's a 4 plex)

Here's the dilemma, should we do traditional financing?

I'm starting out my investing in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio because I've lived here for three years and I think I understand the market and its drivers, and prices continue to appreciate.I see real estate investing as a way to build a base of passive income to make sure I can take care of my family if their health or the economy fall on hard times. 

This is important to determine the health of the business versus a percentage of the rent they pay you.As an example a business doing 1,000,000 in sales you generally do not want to see more than 10% going to rent or 100,000.4.

I'm starting to plan my first REI and I'm stuck in a bit of a dilemma.  

Here's my dilemma - every property I analyze does not seem to cash flow.

@Dan Falla Your rent to own program is fine, we have much less to worry about here in Canada than they do in the US when it comes to this type of private financing.As for your mortgage dilemma @Roy N. will be far more help than me.

My husband is very allergic to cats and I worry that since he'll be doing a lot of the maintenance that this will negatively impact his health (I should also mention we would be house hacking a MFH in metro Denver).  

That is why the more experienced contractor will start with a higher mark-up knowing that the investor will not want to pay for change orders.The best solution to this dilemma is to get better deals.