I've just started talking to my realtor from my primary residence purchase (my only RE experience to draw on) to verify my comps are reasonable.

If I don't buy a primary residence, a buddy of mine will and I could have very cheap rent (~$600/month). 

I think its great that people are thinking of over ways of generating an income other than the traditional 9-5 methods.  

You can put around 20% down and buy with traditional financing (cheap 30 year money).

If the challenge is "selling" a deal on a burnt out shell to a conventional lender, try this: Get private or hard money to acquire and rehab, get leases signed, THEN refinance through a traditional lender if you can meet their LTV requirements.Again, it's only a 4-unit.

The trend is for those who would traditionally be in the "first time home buyers" chapter of life are increasingly opting to rent.

I am trying to find my first primary residence in Seattle.

Will this be a primary residence purchase or an investment?

She would have a hard time selling it through traditional channels.  

Also, what is the reason why these houses look like a box instead of traditional slopped roof style?