Lived in the area.

By any chance do you live in one of them?

I would like to buy SFH (haven't really looked into anything else) that I could see myself living in down the road --unlikely to happen in the next 15 years.

In reality, most older homes will cost you considerably more in maintenance, capital expense, and vacancy (people just generally like to live in and rent newer homes).

The biggest thing I have encountered in numerous inspections is chipped or flaking paint in pre-1978 homes that have children living in them.

Since your husband is a first-time homebuyer and eligible for conventional financing, you might be able to use his status to buy a single-family property, live in it for a bit, and then turn it into a rental down the line.

Live below your means2.

I’m living in Bay Area where finding deals that generate cashflow is impossible.

In my opinion, Kitchen area is not dirty at all but there are definitely gonna be signs of someone lived here before. 

Spanaway, DuPont, and Yelm are areas I'd consider if you want to attract those working in Tacoma/Olympia and living further out as well.The new fast ferry from Bremerton and Kingston is making the peninsula a more viable option.