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.

Providence Village was once a top-tier target for Section 8 investors—modern homes, rising values, and voucher rents north of $3K/month. But in just a few years, discriminatory HOA rules and a shocking policy reversal from Trump’s HUD have flipped the script. Now, with the federal government backing off enforcement, local politics are calling the shots—and investors need to pay attention. The fallout from this case isn’t just about one neighborhood; it’s a warning about what can happen when landlords stay silent and HOAs go unchecked. In 2025, knowing your HOA’s stance on rentals—and showing up before it’s too late—could be the difference between cash flow and catastrophe.

Landlord laws can make or break a real estate investment, and the difference between Texas and tenant-friendly states like Washington, California, or Oregon is striking. In Texas, evictions are fast, rent control doesn’t exist, and landlords have more control over their properties. Meanwhile, cities like Seattle make it nearly impossible to remove non-paying tenants, and some states even force landlords to pay tenants to leave. After selling my properties in Washington due to restrictive laws and weak cash flow, I shifted my investments to Dallas—and the difference has been night and day. Here’s why Texas is a better bet for long-term rental success.