I have bought 2 properties sight unseen 3000 miles away and have had no problems but I had trusted people look at them for rent ability and property inspections done as well.

If the property sustains uninsured damage, the buyer may lose incentive to pay, ask you to accept less money, or even abandon the property, again leading to foreclosure.

Don't lose sight of the fact that most o the wealth created in real estate is from investors, not commissions.  

Here are some basic numbers. all my numbers are estimates.Listing price: 285,000Zillow estimate:166,000My estimate of what I should buy at: 230-250KRepairs: 40K(10K per unit)Built: 1985Current Rent:Unit#1@750, #2@750 #3 & 4 EmptyMarket rates for 2 bedroom peak is $800 AVG is 700  This is sight unseen maybe no repairs are needed.but i doubt that.

I agree with Mike but my though also is that it is generally a bad idea to lose a garage in favor of living space.

I have been listening to Podcasts, reading Rich Dad Poor Dad (since every podcasts recommends it), and looking at listing on the various Real Estate sights.  

Zoomed out to the 10 year time-frame, you aren't going to make or lose money by having or not having an escrow account, except for that small amount of closing costs difference.

@henry r.I inherited a Sec 8 tenant in my first property that I also occupied, and quickly learned that it's similar to unemployment standards in that if you lose your job, you need to prove that you are at least looking for a job to get renewed.  

We were still the lowest rent in town, so we didn't lose any tenants. 

If that was the case then the duplex would be better, on paper any way, but then on the other side the duplex is spreading your risk over only two units so if you loose a tenant that is half of your income, where as in a quad when you lose a tenant its only 25% of your income.