@Stephen J Davis It looks like the issues you raised are with your tenants and tenant screening. 

When screening your job is to decide why you should declined them...... and this guys has LOTS of those.PASS

If you're not working with a local agent to help you screen tenants...I would say the best way to get as many eyes on the property is create marketing material - add to local FB groups and host 2 consecutive open house weekends showing a model unit and amenities.If you're close to any University Campuses - I would also suggest to partner with the university for housing opportunities for upperclass students.Good luck with filling those up!

I will make sure that all topics are covered and are part of our initial screening process for future investments.Thank you again for the time and thought you put into our response.

If you are not planning on living there too, you would only be able to offer a gift to that person and you would likely not qualify as an eligible gift donor unless you are closely blood related. 

All the other criteria, at least based on their pre-screening responses, look passable.

That said, long-term the appreciation you get in the Puget Sound region is superior to many other markets, so assuming you find an excellent property management company that is able to screen tenants and only put in very well qualified, vetted occupants and you experience limited issues over the holding period, you'd likely come out ahead retaining the Mill Creek property if your financially able to do so and still buy wherever you are headed out of state.

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

@Mark Ainley and @Brie Schmidt are more experienced than I am and may have other good thoughts on tenant screening.

It is increasingly common for a PM to charge a "leasing fee" which covers all the costs of marketing, showing, screening, placing tenant under contract, collecting deposit and rent, setting up utilities, getting the tenant placed, etc.If the PM can't justify the cost, then they shouldn't be charging it.