Realtor · Sequim WA & Port Angeles, WA · Member since 2016 · 164 posts · 78 votes
Hello, my name is Catherine Barnes. I have worked in the property management field for 17 years. I have managed single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, condos and apartments for property owners since beginning my career in 1990. Before moving to Washington, I was employed as the Community Manager of a 197 Unit Apartment Community in Carmichael, California. I am also a landlord myself ! I still learn something new every day working in this business. Tacoma/Puyallup area is such a great market right now. Prices are affordable and rentals are hard to come by. It's a landlords paradise. I am currently working as a Residential Property Manager at Vista Property Management in Puyallup, Washington.
Welcome to the BP Community. Thanks for introducing yourself. Don't be shy at jumping in on the forums and familiarizing yourself with the blogs and podcasts. Lots of great stuff on here. All the best!
Investor · Kent, WA · Member since 2014 · 55 posts · 16 votes
10y
Welcome to BP Catherine, I believe you are spot on with the Tacoma/Puyallup are being a landlord or other investors paradise. Sounds like you have some experience behind you. Do you go to meetups? Maybe we will meet there sometime. I'm venturing into your market now and would be great to chat!
Realtor · Sequim WA & Port Angeles, WA · Member since 2016 · 164 posts · 78 votes
10y
Thank you. Yes - I have been in the business for a long time. Both of my parents were rental property owners and landlords since I was a small child. My mom was a Realtor and Property Manager and owned her own property management company in Stockton, California.
Bellevue, WA · Member since 2016 · 154 posts · 57 votes
10y
Welcome to BP, @Catherine German! Sounds like you have a lot of great experience! What are you looking for next in your real estate ventures? How can this community help you?
Residential Real Estate Broker · Lakeland, FL · Member since 2015 · 90 posts · 49 votes
10y
Welcome @Catherine German. I hope you find the networking here at Bigger Pockets helpful. I am not in your market but I do enjoy property management (I know that might sound odd). I look forward to hearing from you on this platform.
Realtor · Sequim WA & Port Angeles, WA · Member since 2016 · 164 posts · 78 votes
10y
Hi
@Jennifer King - I would like to network with people who want to invest in S. Tacoma area houses. This is an older neighborhood with some great deals, Craftsman homes and old cute bungalows from the 20's and 40's. I can find the deals but cannot buy right now. Just bought my 1922 Craftsman in August 2015 for 155K and I could turn around and sell it today for about 225K with no improvements.
I moved from Sacramento in January and have been working as a Maintenance Manager for a property management company in Puyallup and am moving into Residential Management now with the same company so I need to build my portfolio of rental properties. Seeking to network for referrals with Realtors.
I was born into property management and it's something I know but there is so many other areas of Real Estate I don't know so I think that this is might be a great forum for learning.
Welcome to the forums! Do you refer any of your maintenance contractors to others who self-manage (like myself)? Or is that something that's not in the best interest of your business (which I would completely understand)?
Enjoy your time on this site! There's a ton of useful information here!
Realtor · Sequim WA & Port Angeles, WA · Member since 2016 · 164 posts · 78 votes
10y
Hey @Curt McClements I'm happy to refer you to contractors. Yes, I have a good vendor list. I have worked hard to get it. When I rolled into S. Hill, I had been out of the area for 7 years. Let me know what you need done and I can give you some names. They are reliable and reasonably priced, plus insured & licensed.
Seattle, WA · Member since 2015 · 500 posts · 243 votes
10y
Hello @Catherine German and let me add my welcome to the Bigger Pockets Pierce County community!
If you or @Curt McClements are ever stuck for a plumber, I would also recommend Rick or Jim at Main Line Drain, they've done good work for me, both non-emergency and emergency stuff.
Catherine, I will likely be contacting you at some point related to my W-2 profession, but I would be interested in seeing if you're also looking at the city of Tacoma itself, or just the south areas?
Real Estate Investor · Auburn, WA · Member since 2016 · 83 posts · 22 votes
10y
Welcome to BP, Catherine!
I'm fairly new here myself, and I've started looking in Tacoma myself. You mentioned old craftsman style houses down in the South end, and that what I want to start looking for. I'd love to connect with you and pick your brain one where the best places to look would be.