Utilities (WA state) have figured out its easier to squeeze the owner than chase down a deadbeat. 

WA, OR, UT, NV, ID, NM, AZ, TX.

Cities will either not be able to comply or select sites that are currently zoned and used for purposes other than housing.This can lead to more complications with lawsuits and other administrative challenges that in addition to absorbing time and money prevent additional housing units from being built.

My only issue with it is that it requires a larger “organization” and management and administration of that organization.

A little bit about my experience in Real Estate… I started a couple years ago doing some house flips in Detroit ( It was a 2 year plan) then decided to sell everything, moved to Washington DC which can't afford anything in the DMV area but last year I purchased a very nice 3500 SQFT Duplex in Shaker Heights, suburb of Cleveland.

My husband and I just sold a rental property in WA state so we have about $85k to invest. 

@Brandon Carlson 63117 (Richmond Heights) , 63130 (university city which is close to Washington Univ) and 63110 (tower grove, Shaw, dogtown) are all very good areas.

Washington DCHow would you scale?

@Jim Doyle- thanks   1) consider increasing the purchase price by the amount of the elec and roof  work that needs to be done  and then assist  seller with  getting the work  scheduled and completed  ( as this will be required to be donw before closing ) ..this way the  seller  is technically  paying for the  repairs  and they wont lose  any  proceeds ....they will pay a little  extra  wa state sale excise tax  but  that  wont amount to too much  2)  consider  putting less down  and using some of your funds to pay for  the repairs  ( or part of the repairs )   3)  consider using a rehab loan  4)  consider  keeping the price  where it is and asking for the sellers to complete  repairs  (  this likely wont happen)  5)  get roofer and contractor  estimates and get them  lined up to do the work asap  as it might takes  weeks to get this scheduled / done  6)  ask seller for  extension on closing date if the  work  will take  longer than 10 days ,,,Good luck

I'm Heather S. from Spokane, WA.