Maybe their guess at what the market value is is actually what the market value could potentially be if someone (the next owner) does the hard work of getting the rents up to that value.

I am wondering if anyone has ever taken legal action against property managers, and if they think we have a potential case? 

Also@Jed Butikofer as@Christian Chartier said, this area has great potential for investment.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

Condos are less expensive to buy, but you have condo fees and special assessments and condo rules.

Lots of older houses but there seem to be several that have the potential for cash flow and while not exactly modern on the outside, have been renovated inside. 

They contain shortcuts to knowledge and potentially community. 

Many of them are posers - I smile and nod, knowing that their posing will make an impression on many who dream of quick wealth, and that their incredibly transparent bullsh** will eventually blow up in their face, leading to no lasting wealth and potentially major problems for themselves and everyone associated with them.Many of these students receive referral fees if they are able to sign up other people to the expensive ($5K+) coaching programs, masterminds, mentorships, or tribes.

Once I've completed these initial projects and built up some capital, my long-term goal is to transition into buy-and-hold investments in potentially more affordable markets to maximize cash flow and scale up.Right now, I'm particularly interested in investing locally here in the Seattle metro area.

Instead of having multiple SFH or duplexes that would potentially require a more hands on approach?