Vacancy Rates, Washington investors and Seattle area in particular

[Alex Chin]

Hello BP!

I am just getting started in my REI career and am interested in how experienced landlords estimate vacancy rates when looking at a potential investment.

Is there a website/trade journal you subscribe to?

Is this something that can only really be figured out with experience?

I understand that vacancy rates often depend heavily on the property itself, so do you just use a general rule of thumb when running the numbers on a property?

[Alex Chin]

@Mike R. -That's a good tip and I'll try to keep that in mind as I move forwards. I don't think I'll be making any 5+ unit buys any time soon, I want to cut my teeth on SFR or maybe a duplex to get my initial learning in.

@Michele Fischer  - Thanks for the advice and notes on running a multi. I expect to take my lumps as I learn this business, but hoping to avoid some of the unnecessary ones thanks to BP contributors.