Ever consider Tacoma?

I am also simulataneously in the process of obtaining my RE license and would like to transition into a career as an agent in the Tacoma/Puyallup Wa Market.

However, since the vast majority of us aren't first movers on every trend out there, I kept my post focused on relatively larger and accessible cities/markets that posses the major indicators that have historically been correlated with compressing cap rates and higher returns for any size investor over the associated real estate cycle.Since the type of analysis that you brought up requires expertise in forecasting and assumption making and does not usually come to investors for free or without putting in a significant amount of time, I will leave this analysis task to each investor them-self :).

Rewey  our title companies on the west coast could give us this data with the click of a mouse in about 5 seconds if I wanted them..I just ask for every DT recorded that has an individual name or LLC.. or IRA ..Same thing I did when I created a data base of every owner of 10 acres of more of visible timber ( via telemetry) from the OR CA border to Tacoma.. we just took out the timber companies.. and worked that data base since 1992... its fluid data base though some have logged and some of the timber that was too young in 92 is now merch.. then I took that data base and going back to the day I reverse directoried them and then did tele marketing. unless we just could not get them on the phone we did very little direct mail..

If you go a bit farther out   (Tacoma to Everett)   there are occasionally some 6% cap rate offerings but you are probably going to have a lot of competition for the good ones.I've said this on a few other posts too but will repeat it here -  if you are thinking about buying an investment rental property in seattle,  be well aware of the current and likely upcoming rental regulation ordinances that have been imposed by City of Seattle.  

But something to consider.What about closer areas,   like the I-5 cooridor Tacoma south to Vancouver WA?  

Tacoma, WA getting close to 1% but not yet.

It makes complete sense for some people to mover but each situation is unique.

I'm also considering purchasing another property (SFR or small multi-family) outside of Seattle (within ~1 hour drive) this year or next if I can find something...starting to look at Tacoma, my home town.

I love Seattle but can barely afford to buy something in Tacoma at this point.