You will need to ask the City of Kirkland if this is the case and ask if you raised the floor, are you still compliant.For the second point, yep, I think putting shelves will define it as a closet.Best of luck!

I recommend clearly defining your investing goals first before doing anything else.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/850/topics/895660-my-first-investment-property-an-out-of-state-dealBest Wishes!

Takes the emotion out of it and as long as your criteria is not discriminatory (as defined by federal, state and local regulations), it should help keep you out of trouble in the event that someone you reject claims that you did so for some illegal reason. 

An Advanced Fee Scheme as defined by the FBI is "a victims pays money in anticipation of receiving something greater such as a loan and receives little to nothing in return".

"I want to invest out of state" is such a broad statement.

It still seems like you still have a broad target. :)

Which numbers do you need help defining? 

For instance my wife would feel more comfortable in a duplex with clearly defined boundries vs someone staying in our house now that we have kids. 

This is more about health and safety, in which both state and federal governments have broad authority supported by Supreme Court precedent. 

As far as finding a multi-family duplex where would you say is the best place to look as far as apps and or websites Etc @Randy Ray I would have an agent set you up with a mls search once you have defined your criteria  (where you want to live, unit mix, amenities) and have them do the work.