We own our house in Seattle and are trying to determine the best strategy for our move - what approach would net us the most money over the next 1-3 years.

When something goes wrong (like HVAC) do they have the money to get up and going again or have you just lost your business and all your effort cohosting a property that isn't well maintained?

I could see folks doing new builds if they have 1031 money they need to place somewhere and they are putting 30%+ down however.Way too much sunshine in this thread about the current market conditions here in Huntsville and Madison right now. 

Private money and personal funds.

Hard money is a great financing program to get you going.

It might be wise to sell it just from a management standpoint and reposition the money into some index funds and maybe another property in NC.

If this is not possible, take some time to get to know and be-friend the other HOA board members before you waste money with an attorney.

Getting something under contract is as easy as give the seller all the money.

@Malcolm Brown it is great that you are thinking of the money to fund the deals you are going to get started with but understanding what a deal is, I think, should be the starting point. 

I do own two triplexes in Scranton, and I will say the one issue is that you are going to be taking care of the utilities normally if they are not on separate meters, which could take a good amount of money away from your overall cash flow.