REI in Blaine, Birch Bay

[Clayton Swansen]

Hi everyone! I am extremely new to the REI game, though I have considered breaking into it for years. I just never had such an amazing REI educational resource like Bigger Pockets. It has really motivated me to learn more, and get out and start making things happen. I am a carpenter in the Bellingham, WA area, and very interested in buying a home to renovate while I live in it, with the goal of flipping after a year, or just renting it. The idea per BP's advice is to have more than one exit strategy. Homes are relatively expensive here. From what I've seen, 150k is a great deal in Bham. I would love to but here, but I feel that for my first foray into REI, I should start low, and slow, and learn the game before I jump into more expensive markets... Finally, my question(s): I am curious as to what people in northwest Washington are seeing and feeling in the Blaine/Birch Bay Area as far as the future of real estate, and also what is the rental market like... As in, IS there much of a rental market there? Thank you everyone!