Once I've completed these initial projects and built up some capital, my long-term goal is to transition into buy-and-hold investments in potentially more affordable markets to maximize cash flow and scale up.Right now, I'm particularly interested in investing locally here in the Seattle metro area.

Depends on what your goals are. 1-4 units are still residential, so it doesn't really matter how you start.

Are there any creative things that could be done to get to my goals or from your standpoint,  or is it pretty well a firm "not gonna fly" type scenario? 

It really depends on your comfort level and long-term goals, but even if you want to get into multifamily long-term, SFR may be the best option to gain some comfortability.

Have you decided on what your main focus and goals are?

All - I have a goal of owning at least 10 cash flowing doors within the next ten years.

What are your current goals or challenges in real estate?

My goal is to buy a house in the area and house hack the remaining rooms.

In fact because an IRA kicks off UBIT on leveraged real estate many people opt for private lending until the account has enough to buy real estate in cash if that is their goal. 

My goal is to continue to acquire more cash flowing rentals to eventually leave my day job and just self manage the rental properties.