Clarkston, Washington/Eastern Washington

[Alan Reza]

I have listened to about 53 out of the 173 podcasts. I have come to the realization as a Southern Californian living in Orange County that it makes more sense to buy out of state.  Yes, I realize the appreciation in California makes more sense, but when 1 bedroom crappy condos in bad parts of Anaheim and Santa Ana are going for $235,000 there is no way the 2% rule would work today unless you put some huge down payment.  

When I hear success stories on the podcasts of investors like Dawn Anastasi buying properties for $35,000 and renting them out for $700 a month or Ryland buying properties in Tacoma for $65,000 it definitely has enticed me to look outside California.  I know Brandon Turner also invests in Washington so if either Brandon or Ryland have any thoughts on Clarkston Washington or cities close to this area I would love some advice.

I wanted to know if there are any real estate investors who have bought buy and hold properties in Clarkston,Washington or close to that area.  My mother and father in law are originally from Orange County, California but relocated to Clarkston, Washington about 10 years ago.  They live about 35 minutes from Washington State University.  I wanted to see if there are any real estate agents that know the area.  My wife and I are going to be visiting for a week in June and I was hoping to scout the area and see if I could find any deals to buy and hold.  I could have my mother in law be the boots on the ground. She has excellent social skills and would do a good job of PR to find tenants to occupy the property.

[Alan Reza]

@Salvador Garza I'm assuming your young, not married, not kids yet.  You're in a perfect situation to house hack! Check out Scott Trench's book, "Set for Life" or  Brandon Turner's book, "The Book on Rental Property Investing", both available here in BP.  Or just go into threads and learn about House Hacking.  Basically the premise is that you buy a small property (maybe a 2-bedroom or a duplex) and rent out the portion you don't live in.  That way someone else is helping you pay the mortgage!  From there, you start to snowball the profits and upgraded to bigger opportunities.