I wasn't feeling the 35K they wanted so I looked for alternatives.

I would definitely consider an alternative but this seems like my best option so I want to pursue it and see if I can find anything that would allow me to do it.

If it's all that complicated, I'll have to look for an alternative!

Part of it is jumping in and learning the gaps.If you will be living in one side, there is less pressure on the cash flow (comparing to alternative housing costs not alternative investment vehicles) and less pressure about knowing all the fair housing laws (you can discriminate more/be pickier about tenants if you live there).  

He'd get different treatment...

etc etc etc...we all have to struggle when making tough decisions.I have always given preferential treatment to those who were in the armed services. 

Commuting to Redmond from Seattle is a pain in the ***, definitely look for alternatives.

I'm looking at a property that is FSBO so when putting together an offer I was assuming the seller would be saving ~6% on realtor fees by selling to me versus his alternative of listing it with an agent.

I can't see tossing remains as an alternative at all...that's just me. 

Personally, I prefer land trusts, however, tax reporting and obtaining a tax id for a short term project would send me looking for alternatives.