All Forum Posts by: Brandon Courtney

@Robert Freeborn:

I visited Bellinham in '08. I was tagging along with some friends who were competing in the ski-to-sea race. It was awesome. I loved the downtown, the water, the mountains, etc. We went mountain biking @ Galbraith Mountain it was fun. But I was also there in summer, and I've heard it rains even more than Seattle - is that true? You are right, I am looking for mountains... Thank you for the recommendations of Maple Falls, Burlington, Sedro, & Mount Vernon - I'll have to look into them.

Thanks for your reply.

@Alex Shea:

Thank you! Cool, I will keep you guys in mind from a lending standpoint. Thank you for your market suggestions.

Off-topic question: I was listening to the BiggerPockets podcast (episode 108) last night and their guest Grant Cardone said that the easiest loan to get is for multifamily. Is that true? He said it was even easier than primary residence. Now I'm not sure how much of was hyperbole, or whether I have the money for a downpayment on something like that, but as it was fresh on my mind and you being a lender, I wanted to ask.


Thanks for replying

@Eric Bilderback:

From what I can everything is pretty solid in the NW. I personally think Bend/Central Oregon are the best for quality life and great maybe not the best for real estate investing, but hey if a knucklehead like me can make it work it can't be to bad! Although Tri Cities in Washington looks great as does almost all of Idaho. But you can't get to the coast from there easily.

Hey thanks your reply. It might be a little small for me but I like the access to the mountains. I prefer mountains over the coast. That's not to say I'm opposed to that coast, its just that I like the coast but I NEED mountains :-) How cloudy is it in your neck of the woods? Do you know what kind of mountain access the Tri Cities have? I went to school in Spokane so I'm somewhat familiar with the area, though mostly driving through.

Thank you for replying

thank you for your reply.

I lived in Seattle the summer of '08 and loved it. Though I've never spent a winter there so I'm a little intimidated by that :-). Thanks for the tip on Camano island, how big was the farm you purchased, out of curiosity? I've driven through North Bend before, loved to area, but don't know the town at all. Don't know much about Everett, again thanks for the tip.

Sure thing - will hit you up if I'm in the area

thanks again for your reply

Thank you for responding,

My profession is one where people can work remotely. I haven't heard of lenders requesting paystubs post-move so thank you, I learned something new :-). And it makes sense that lenders are risk averse right now. I'm also fortunate to be working for a large stable company who's business is doing well in the current environment.

I would be a first time home buyer and according to the FHA Loan requirements I'm eligible. I'm not a veteran, but I would be open to a rural purchase (RD). Thanks for suggesting that approach - that's a logical way to back into your possibilities (property-wise). I'm interested in Boise - its on my radar.

Thank you for your reply.

@Chad Lanting

Thanks for the reply, no I don’t have anymore criteria then those mentioned in the linked post. This k you for your recommendations I will look into them. I visited Bellingham years ago with some friends when they were competing in the ski to sea race. Wonderful town! But I was there in summer and I hear it rains more than Seattle. Still I will look into it and really enjoyed visiting.

Also: what are your thoughts in Boise, ID? I’ve heard good things, don’t think it’s as cloudy as many other locales in the PNW.

@Oscar Montealegre & @Andriana Duarte @George Gammon

You've commented on property values increasing. Are rent prices going up too?

Hello,

     my name is Brandon Courtney, I am newer to this site.  Although I signed up awhile ago it wasn't until more recently that I started listening to podcasts from here and lurking on the site more regularly.

I also am looking for some advice.  I want to buy my first, make it a rental and live there as well.  I am interested in moving and so am open to anywhere but am looking for somewhere in the Pacific Northwest if I can find something appealing.  I also posted about this in more detail here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311-buying-selling-real-estate/topics/872016-best-markets-in-the-pacific-northwest?page=1#p5109445

Hello Bigger Pockets community!

I've been a broke millennial the majority or my working life but now at 33 I finally have the money to buy a house (my first).  I've had my eye on Austin lately but a conversation with a friend reminded me life's not all about money and chasing returns.  He made some good points, so I wanted to look into states that are a better fit for me from a lifestyle standpoint.  I'd like my first home to be an investment first - but also some place I live.  My work is location independent.  I wanted to see if there was somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with:

1. The sort of access to the mountains/outdoors I grew up with
2. A housing market poised not only for appreciation but also rental price increases

I apologize if this is the wrong Forum Category.  I am newer on here and this could have gone in "General Landlording & Rental Properties", "Starting Out", or a number of others.

Please let me know if I'm missing anything or if I can answer any more questions.

Thank you!