With 3% down you're looking at homes in the mid-400s; hard to find in Beacon Hill-Mt Baker-Columbia City, but lots of good options around Graham Street (where the Hillman City infill lightrail station will go) and Rainier Beach lightrail.

Vernon Triangle and NoMA, accessible to multiple metro stations, walkable to everything, has laundry, parking, a fenced patio and I feel its generally a pretty awesome unit.

By the end of 2025, properties will be out of reach within a mile of Anacostia and Congress Heights Metro Station.

I used to be stationed in Fort Walton Beach.

I also encourage you to think about amenities that are intentional and thoughtful, like a desk or work station, a small fitness area with a yoga mat, a "library" or bookshelf with reading options, or blending outdoor/indoor living spaces where possible (of course, if your unit allows it).

@Brian W.Thanks for the welcome, Brian.I sometimes invest in Lake Station and Hobart.

He is active duty military and is stationed in Seattle until mid 2020.

Looks like there are efforts to revitilize downtown Fresno...seems like there could be potential for good appreciation long term with the future high speed rail station there Couple articles you might find interesting . http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article1814057...http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article1802490...

To this end, my tenant screening practices and tenancy policies seek to find such person's who are just trying to better their station in life and may just want a safe(r) place for their kids.

As a military guy who has been stationed overseas I know how hard it can be to have rental houses to manage while out of the country.