On the CRT website, one type of dispute they will look at is "issues of financial responsibility for repairs and the choice of bids for services."

Good tenants fix their own problems BEFORE they become your problem; let tenants create problems for you does NOT get better over time and only teaches the tenant that you bent once so they expect you to end again, and again, and again.Your business, your choice on how you manage it.

And if you need that rental income to qualify you may not have much of a choice. 

Another good choice might be a dark blue....try looking for 'blue house brown roof' on pinterest, I love the look!

Not the best choice if you are low of funds but good if you are short on time.

Left with no choice but HODLing and wait for a return in the market. 

Even though I say this about people, I'm one of them too, but it's by choice with me, because I need benefits for me and my son.

If it requires a 15% down payment, then that wold explain why I hardly see this talked about here, and would make the FHA 203(k) the obvious choice for me (starting on a limited budget)

woody - 1st option  would be to  try to get a " cash out " refinance on the Seattle  rental  property ….2nd  choice  would be an  owner occupied  purchase loan for the CA  possible  property   ( get pre approved for this idea )  if you are unable to do these options because of  whatever the reason ….I am not certain about the " collateral loan "  idea / question

My next choice would be a Turnkey  Property that is renovated and managed by some other group of people and your only duty, after your original inspection and an evaluation, is to get a check from them each month.