Why I Sold My Washington Rentals and Invested in Texas Instead
When I first started investing in real estate, I owned properties in Seattle, Washington where I reside with my family (and love it!). On paper, it seemed like a solid market—strong job growth, rising home values, and plenty of tenants. But as time went on, I realized something: Washington’s landlord laws made owning rental property more of a liability than an asset.
For example, during COVID, Seattle enacted emergency tenant protections that effectively allowed tenants to stop paying rent—and landlords were still on the hook for taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Add in strict eviction laws, a complicated rental registration system, and cash flow that was nearly three times lower than what I saw in Dallas, and the decision was clear: I sold my Washington properties and reinvested in Texas where I already owned an investment property.
The Difference Between Texas and Tenant-Friendly States
One of the biggest differences between Texas and more restrictive states is how quickly landlords can regain control of their properties when rent isn’t paid. In Texas, the eviction process is fast and straightforward: a 3-day notice to vacate, a court hearing within 10-21 days, and, if necessary, the constable can remove a tenant within 24 hours. The entire process can take as little as three weeks.
Compare that to Washington State, where landlords must give a 14-day notice for nonpayment, followed by a lengthy court process. And in Seattle, things get even worse—landlords cannot terminate a month-to-month lease unless they meet one of 18 “just cause” reasons (even if they just want to sell the property). Similar restrictions exist in New York, where rent-controlled landlords often struggle to evict nonpaying tenants due to bureaucratic delays, and in Oregon, where Portland landlords are forced to pay tenants up to $4,500 just to ask them to leave—even if the lease is up.
Why Texas Makes More Sense for Investors
Texas gives landlords control over their investments. There’s no statewide rent control, no expensive tenant relocation laws, and no excessive restrictions on ending leases. If a tenant doesn’t pay, landlords can act quickly to minimize financial losses.
For investors working with DHA tenants, the benefits are even stronger. Since DHA pays all or most of the rent (and on time!), landlords don’t face the same risk of nonpayment. And because Texas law allows month-to-month leases to be ended with proper notice, there’s more flexibility if a property needs to be sold or repurposed. I should also mention that during Covid I have not missed one single payment in Dallas.
Final Thoughts
Real estate investing is about long-term financial growth, and that means choosing markets where landlords have the freedom to manage their properties efficiently. Washington’s policies made rental ownership more difficult and less profitable, while Texas offers a faster eviction process, stronger cash flow, and fewer restrictions.
If you’re thinking about investing in Dallas rental properties, you’re choosing one of the most landlord-friendly markets in the country—and if you want on-time rent payments, DHA rentals make that even better.
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