Beginner investor in the Tacoma/Seattle area

[James Jordan]

Hello my name is James and I live in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I have a lucky enough to have a good amount of leftover income and I am interested in putting it to use in real estate rather than putting it all in a retirement account. I am mostly interested in getting started with a house hack (preferably more than 1 door, like a duplex, triplex, or four-plex) then either migrating to another house hack and keep repeating or explore simply buying long term rentals. Western WA has an expensive market so I am looking for agents, lenders, attorneys, and CPA's that can help me get started. I have my personal emergency funds saved up and now all I am doing is saving up for my first down payment.

[Brittany French]

Hi James,

Property Manager here, managing from Everett to Tacoma.  I suggest avoiding Tacoma, they have the most restrictions (even more that Seattle). The tenant pools in blue collar areas such as Auburn, Sumner, Des Moines, Burien are some of the best areas to operate. We've had some of our most difficult situations in Federal Way & Kent, I'd avoid those areas as well.  You'll have the easiest time with 3 bed / 1.5 bath + garage + w/d in unit. This unit configuration will attract the most, best qualified tenants who will stay long term, respect the property and pay rent on time (or at the very least, communicate if they are having difficulty paying rent).  Talk to Sean Smith on this thread, he'll represent your immediate & long term interests when making an acquisition.