If where I live had cheap houses in the 50k range then it would be a no brainer for me, but I live in CA where scaling wide to start is impossible because properties are so expense (1-2% rule aint happening here) so I have to make some hard decisions about what my goals are for getting started.I wish there were some general guidelines that work for all newcomers, such as invest local with a single family home and learn about fixing it up and being a property manager (conservative approach), which seems to be the only choice for some people.

But I would not do this deal until I confirmed the plumbing was in working condition unless I was sure I got it cheap enough that I could afford to fix anything that might be wrong.

Some outlets in the home are 3 pronged.It’s easy to check: use a cheap neon circuit tester to make sure each outlet is properly grounded.  

Also, no one mentioned INTEREST RATES.....if money is cheap and abundant, it will depress cap rates.

Way cheaper, no legal issues, more respect and there is a decent chunk of cheap or free training out there from the mega brokerages.

.- Watersense or other water conservation methods with showerheads (the biggest drain on water bills other than leaks and loos) are often cheap and easy ways to reduce the bill with little to no impact on the tenants' lives.- LLC name can be anything you want, but I'd certainly think purchasing this and holding title as an LLC makes sense for a 14-plex.   

You can whip one up pretty cheap on RocketLawyer or LegalZoom.  

Not necessarily a great neighborhood at the moment, however, it is changing and the houses are going for cheap.

I can totally understand the frustration of a long commute  (I complain about my 35-45m commute all the time,  but I'm a whiner)   so perhaps the thing to do if you don't yet have the funds to purchase a home closer to seattle (check out skyway and north burien for best deals close in to seattle)  maybe find a "cheap" apartment someplace closer that will rent for about the same amount or less than you can rent your other duplex unit for.   

The tech to beat them is already out there, and it's cheap.