Seems like alcohol was involved.

This is my first kid after all so I'll take anything from MODERATE parenting advice to 'how to build a financially independant empire'.I'm amassing a list of books suggested on BP podcasts to read in the next year (already have 30 listed) but will GLADLY take more suggestions!

That cost could be baked into the rent, but without any incentive for the tenants to moderate their electric usage, it could be a costly situation for the owner.I would recommend looking into costs to have it metered properly first and if that is not effective, have a set amount built in to the lease that the tenant will pay each month. 

I don’t want to get in trouble with the moderators here so I’m not going to mention there names here. 

Finally,   be sure to join rental housing association (rhawa.org) they are an excellent industry association that supports and represents many smaller landlords in seattle and surrounding region.I have 8 units in 3 buildings right now in south seattle and vicinity;  my strategy has been to buy under-managed but functional buildings needing mild to moderate rehab,  do the work over a couple years with a mix of my own effort and contracting things out, bring rents up closer to market, then long term hold.   

Interest rates were 6.5% at the time of the crash, compared to less than 4% today.Personally, I think we'll see moderation in prices, and deceleration of the appreciation rate  which we're starting to see now, but I don't see a crash.

It’s unfortunate that moderators don’t comment on some of these issues.

So grab a book written by one of BP moderators on Out Of State investing (look under Bookstore) and join REI clubs for networking. 

location location...assuming that's moderately ok, I would think that 250k mark isn't a terrible asking price...possibly even 265 if you have the time...well done

Note that 2bed/1baths will have moderate turnover so you might be paying a make ready costs (paint and carpet) of $500-2K per unit every 2-3 years.