I used to own a $700K rental in Seattle—until the numbers (and the laws) no longer made sense. From rising operating costs to new statewide rent control, the regulatory landscape kept tightening. So I sold and reinvested in two Dallas-area properties instead—each producing stronger cash flow and fewer headaches. In this post, I walk through both deals in detail, including taxes, rent caps, eviction rules, and appreciation trends. If you’re weighing where to invest next, this side-by-side story may give you clarity.

Vacancy isn’t just a temporary gap in rent—it’s the single biggest threat to an investor’s bottom line. While costs like taxes and management fees are easy to plan for, a vacant home bleeds money in two directions: zero income and costly turnovers. In this post, we break down how even a single month of vacancy can derail your returns, why timing and tenant care matter, and how Section 8 offers a built-in advantage when it comes to stability. For investors in 2025, reducing downtime isn’t optional—it’s the edge.