From there, you basically have larger markets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown.

This way you can move into your own place and also get started in real estate investing.If you can afford to put a larger downpayment than 3.5% then you can always go the conventional loan route and still buy a duplex, triplex, or fourplex.Hope this helps.

You definitely don't want a commission split nor do you need the systems and training that the larger brokerages offer.As far as your own purchases, you could start out using a lawyer to review documents and help you understand everything until you have a better grasp on it.

Try to look for a place with a larger lot so you could convert a 2 fam to a 3 later on? 

I know Tacoma has some industrial areas...are the suburbs a better choice for investing?

I think purchasing a primary conservatively with a lower down payment (to leave enough for the required larger down payment on an investment) would be my suggestion, if you purchase your primary home first. 

Then I want to move my stuff over to the inherited tenants side (as it’s the nicer unit).Unfortunately the inherited tenants have 4 larger dogs, a guinea pig, and two cats (one of which they adopted a week before closing).

The house square footage is also a bit larger than the others in the neighborhood.

But assuming you come to a good value for you, you could likely increase that dollar amount for the same net cost to you long term if he will hold a note at low or no interest avoiding larger bank loans.

It's not so hard to buy a larger property.