Stephen Husted | Rainmaker Real Estate Agent
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Stephen Husted | Rainmaker Real Estate Agent
A high-energy real estate specialist who keeps your needs front and center

Welcome to the Real Estate Investor Hub — your resource for smart investing both locally and out-of-state. Whether you’re scouting deals nearby or expanding your portfolio across different markets, this is the place to find real-world tips, honest lessons, and strategies that help you invest confidently no matter where you are.

Feasibility First: How Smart Investors Add $300K of Value Before Construction Starts
Feasibility First: How Smart Investors Add $300K of Value Before Construction Starts

Wealth is built before the first nail is hammered. Here’s how feasibility and due diligence turn raw lots into high-value, low-risk DADU projects - adding six figures of profit before construction begins.

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Stephen HustedDecember 11, 2025
The Real Cost of Building a DADU in Seattle - Stop Believing the “$250K Backyard Home” Myth
The Real Cost of Building a DADU in Seattle - Stop Believing the “$250K Backyard Home” Myth

Forget the online calculators - here’s what DADUs really cost in Seattle. From permits to finishes, this breakdown reveals the real numbers, hidden fees, and smart budgeting tactics investors use to stay profitable.

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Stephen HustedDecember 4, 2025
The Utility Trap: How Ignoring Site Logistics Can Wreck Your Budget
The Utility Trap: How Ignoring Site Logistics Can Wreck Your Budget

The biggest DADU budget killers are buried underground. Here’s how to assess utilities, connections, and site logistics before breaking ground - and save thousands in avoidable costs.

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Stephen HustedNovember 27, 2025
Design for the Exit: Building With Strategy, Not Emotion
Design for the Exit: Building With Strategy, Not Emotion

Don’t build with emotion. Build with intention. Discover how strategic design choices shape your ROI, exit options, and long-term portfolio growth in today’s small-scale development market.

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Stephen HustedNovember 20, 2025
The Investor’s Checklist for a Buildable Lot
The Investor’s Checklist for a Buildable Lot

A deal isn’t a deal if the lot is not buildable.. Use this step-by-step checklist to verify utilities, setbacks, slope, and trees - avoid costly surprises before you ever submit an offer.

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Stephen HustedNovember 13, 2025
Thinking About Building a DADU in Seattle? Read This First.
Thinking About Building a DADU in Seattle? Read This First.

DADUs are a powerful way to add value and income to Seattle properties—but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Learn the key steps, city requirements, and smart strategies to build a DADU that pays off.

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Stephen HustedNovember 6, 2025
Why Your Rental Might Be Sitting Vacant—And How to Fix It
Why Your Rental Might Be Sitting Vacant—And How to Fix It

A vacant rental is a cash-flow killer. Learn why your property might not be renting and how to fix it—fast. From pricing to presentation, this article gives you the tools to get your unit leased and back on track.

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Stephen HustedOctober 23, 2025
Short-Term, Mid-Term, or Long-Term? How to Choose the Right Rental Strategy for Your Property
Short-Term, Mid-Term, or Long-Term? How to Choose the Right Rental Strategy for Your Property

From weekend stays to year-long leases, rental strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all. Learn how to compare short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental models to pick the right fit for your property, lifestyle, and investment goals.

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Stephen HustedOctober 9, 2025
The Pre-Closing Checklist Every Real Estate Investor Should Follow
The Pre-Closing Checklist Every Real Estate Investor Should Follow

The finish line is in sight—but before you close, make sure you’ve covered your bases. This pre-closing checklist outlines the essential tasks every investor should complete to ensure a smooth, profitable deal.

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Stephen HustedSeptember 25, 2025
Hold or Sell? How to Decide the Right Time to Exit an Investment Property
Hold or Sell? How to Decide the Right Time to Exit an Investment Property

Is it time to sell or should you keep holding? This article walks you through the key metrics, market signals, and personal goals to consider before exiting an investment property—so you don’t leave money (or peace of mind) on the table.

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Stephen HustedSeptember 11, 2025
Zillow Isn’t Enough: How to Run Reliable Rental Comps in Any Market
Zillow Isn’t Enough: How to Run Reliable Rental Comps in Any Market

Relying only on Zillow for rental comps? You could be leaving money on the table. This article breaks down how to find real rental rates using tools, local data, and proven strategies—so your listings are competitive and profitable.

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Stephen HustedAugust 28, 2025
Landlording 101: Essential Systems to Put in Place Before Leasing Your First Property
Landlording 101: Essential Systems to Put in Place Before Leasing Your First Property

Ready to rent out your first property? Before you do, make sure your landlord systems are in place. This article walks through the essentials every first-time landlord needs to protect their investment and run rentals like a pro.

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Stephen HustedAugust 14, 2025
The Real Reason to Build a Portfolio (It’s Not Just for the Money)
The Real Reason to Build a Portfolio (It’s Not Just for the Money)

Sure, money matters—but it’s not the only reason to build a portfolio. This post explores the mindset shifts, lifestyle goals, and long-term vision that drive real estate investors to grow beyond just one property.

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Stephen HustedJuly 24, 2025
Tenant Red Flags: You Don’t Need to Learn the Hard Way
Tenant Red Flags: You Don’t Need to Learn the Hard Way

You don’t need to learn the hard way. From sketchy applications to evasive answers, this article reveals the tenant red flags every landlord should know—and how to screen like a pro from day one.

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Stephen HustedJuly 10, 2025
Mindset & Getting Started: Why Real Estate Was the First Investment That Actually Made Sense
Mindset & Getting Started: Why Real Estate Was the First Investment That Actually Made Sense

Stocks felt confusing. Crypto was volatile. But real estate? That finally made sense. This post dives into the mindset that helped new investors gain confidence, take action, and build long-term wealth—starting with their first property.

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Stephen HustedJune 26, 2025
Why I Still Drive the Neighborhood Even After Buying There
Why I Still Drive the Neighborhood Even After Buying There

Just because you bought in a neighborhood doesn’t mean the research stops. This article explains why driving the area regularly gives investors an edge—from market insights to off-market opportunities.

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Stephen HustedJune 12, 2025
How to Handle Maintenance Requests Without Losing Your Mind
How to Handle Maintenance Requests Without Losing Your Mind

Maintenance issues don’t have to wreck your day—or your cash flow. Learn how to streamline repair requests, set expectations with tenants, and build a system that keeps your rental business running smoothly.

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Stephen HustedMay 22, 2025
Funding Deals: Breaking Down Private Money, DSCR Loans, and Creative Financing
Funding Deals: Breaking Down Private Money, DSCR Loans, and Creative Financing

From private lenders to DSCR loans and seller financing, this article unpacks the top funding methods investors use to close deals fast. Learn how each option works, when to use it, and how to structure financing that fits your goals.

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Stephen HustedMay 8, 2025
Smart House Flipping Strategies to Sell in a Slow Market
Smart House Flipping Strategies to Sell in a Slow Market

The market may have cooled, but flipping isn’t dead—it’s just evolved. Learn how today’s savvy investors are still making solid profits by adjusting their strategies, understanding buyer behavior, and focusing on what really moves the needle.

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Stephen HustedApril 24, 2025
How to Choose the Best City to Invest in Even if You Have Never Been There
How to Choose the Best City to Invest in Even if You Have Never Been There

You don’t need to live in—or even visit—a city to invest there. This article teaches you how to vet out-of-state markets using data, demand trends, and team-building strategies to find cash-flowing opportunities from a distance.

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Stephen HustedApril 10, 2025
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Rainmaker Real Estate is a locally owned and operated independent real estate brokerage serving Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Mountain View, and surrounding Silicon Valley communities.

(408) 539-6745

DRE#01796583

889 N San Antonio Rd Ste 110, Los Altos, CA 94022

530 Lytton Ave 2F, Palo Alto, CA 94301

580 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

1060 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125


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