Affluent location vs. less affluent?

[Robert Panian]

I own a rental house in a relatively affluent area, Bellevue, WA. It is worth about $700k. It rents for $2600/mo and has a $370k mortgage. I have made good money on the appreciation (on paper) but little to no income. I’m thinking about selling it and buying two rental properties in a less affluent area, like maybe Yakima, about 2 1/2 hours away. These houses would generate more income. But I would take at least a $56k hit in transaction costs with commissions, fix-up, vacancy, etc in the process. Appreciation in Bellevue has been nice but who knows if it will continue. I’m a few years from retirement. What would you do? Thank you.