Growing Up Yakima

David McKinney
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Besides its amazing people—Yakima, Washington has so much to offer. Growing up here just a big wheel ride from where I live now brings a flood of memories of the people, places and events that makes Yakima special. Catch us Monday mornings on Good Morning Yakima on 1280 NewsTalk KIT.

  1. Aug 31

    042 - Skip the Spring Cleaning: How Passive Real Estate Works

    This episode of Growing Up Yakima leaned into a springtime theme — spring cleaning. I took a trip back to my childhood, where growing up on a farm meant learning to do a little bit of everything: weeding gardens, mowing lawns, laundry, even sewing. Chores were just part of the daily routine before school even started. I also remembered helping my dad take care of a couple of rental properties he owned, which got us talking about the different arrangements landlords make with tenants — some folks work out deals where tenants handle upkeep themselves in exchange for a break on rent, though those situations are honestly pretty rare. That memory turned into a bigger conversation about why spring is exactly the time property owners start thinking about their rentals, and why Washington state can be such a tough place to be a landlord. I talked about a trend I'm seeing right now: people selling off their single-family rental homes and reinvesting that money with us in a more diversified portfolio of multifamily apartment communities instead. I used the example of a 240-unit property we just financed in Indianapolis, where we locked in a rate a full percentage point better than what's typical on a 30-year loan here at home. One of the big advantages of investing with us is that you're never the one doing the "spring cleaning" — we've got on-site community managers, leasing agents, and roughly one maintenance staffer per 100 units keeping things running. I also shared a great example of our team's track record: on a property we recently sold, we grew the net operating income by 85% over five years, which led to a $15 million distribution to investors in that fund. If any of this sounds interesting, give me a call, send a text, or find us at wearewilkinson.com.

  2. Aug 31

    041 - Ferries, French Fries, and a Better Way to Invest

    In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, we got talking about one of the best ways to escape the valley pollen for a bit — hopping a ferry over to the Puget Sound. I shared some of my favorite memories growing up: lining up at the ferry docks, grabbing clams and fish and chips at Ivar's, and tossing French fries to the seagulls. Turns out it was the anniversary of the Washington State ferry Yakima being christened 58 years ago, which sent me down memory lane about summers spent with family friends on Bainbridge Island, digging clams and running around the beach — the kind of stuff that's basically a rite of passage if you grew up in this state. From there we got into a fun tangent about what those old ferries used to cost to build versus the new hybrid ferries being built today (spoiler: it's a lot more), which led into a bigger conversation about why so many property owners and even shipbuilders are looking to leave Washington state altogether because of the regulatory and tax pressure. That's exactly the kind of situation where investing with Wilkinson makes sense — you don't have to be tied down to Washington's landlord-tenant rules, because you're not hands-on with the property at all. I talked through why we intentionally invest in states like Indiana, Georgia, Texas, and the Carolinas, where the landlord-tenant balance is a lot more fair for everyone involved. I used the example of a 240-unit property we just picked up in Indianapolis, now one of three in a passive investing portfolio — meaning instead of putting $100,000 down on a single duplex here in Yakima and dealing with one or two problem tenants yourself, you're diversified across multiple properties and a much bigger group of tenants, without the mortgage, insurance, or emergency-repair headaches. If that sounds interesting, give me a call on my cell or look up Wilkinson here in Yakima.

  3. Aug 31

    040 - Bigfoot, Star Wars, and a Smart Real Estate Play

    In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I sat down for our usual conversation about the small-town values that connect people who grew up here — the agricultural roots, knowing your neighbors, and having the good sense to spot a solid deal when you see one. As we headed into spring, I took listeners on a nostalgic walk through my own Yakima movie history, from catching the documentary Mysterious Monsters at the Capitol Theatre as a kid (I still can't shake a healthy fear of Bigfoot) to my family's long-running Star Wars fandom — Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and the franchise's upcoming 50th anniversary. My son's unofficial middle name is Skywalker, so it runs deep. From there, I talked through why passive multifamily real estate investing makes a lot of sense, especially for folks with a background like ours. I compared the cost and hassle of buying a rental property yourself — six figures down, a bank loan, and the headaches of being a hands-on landlord — with investing alongside us at Wilkinson through our fund, which currently holds 674+ apartment units across markets like Indianapolis and Atlanta. We recently acquired a 240-unit property in Indianapolis, and we've got an offering closing to new investors by the end of the year. We also tend to invest in states like Indiana, Georgia, and Texas, where the landlord-tenant balance works a little better than it does here in Washington. If that sounds interesting, reach out — my cell's always open, or you can find me at wearewilkinson.com.

  4. Mar 2

    039 - A Father's Faith, A Son's Gratitude

    In this deeply personal episode of Growing Up Yakima, I share the passing of my dad and the incredible legacy he leaves behind. From surviving cancer at 18 to bravely battling pulmonary fibrosis later in life, he lived with quiet strength, steady faith, and a deep love for his family and community. I reflect on the adventures we had, the lessons he taught us, and the way he consistently pointed the people he loved toward hope and eternity. Watching the outpouring of support from friends and neighbors has reminded me just how many lives he touched. Recording this podcast over the past year has been a gift, giving me the chance to honor him while he could still listen. This episode is about legacy, faith, gratitude, and the kind of father who leaves big shoes to fill. I'm proud to carry his name, and even more proud to carry forward the values he lived by every single day.

  5. Mar 2

    038 - Game Day Grit and Real Life Lessons

    In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I kick things off by celebrating a huge Seahawks win and some wild Super Bowl stats, from record-setting field goals to a rare running back MVP. From grilling brats at halftime to talking about the Turning Point show and the emotions it stirred up, it's a fun mix of football, culture, and a little real-life perspective. We also get into the realities of today's job market, what I'm seeing from the employer side after reviewing more than 100 applications for a recent opening, and how different things feel compared to when we were starting out. And of course, I share why I believe this moment presents a unique opportunity in multifamily real estate and how we're helping people invest passively without the day-to-day landlord responsibilities. It's a lively conversation that covers everything from Super Bowl memories to smart investing strategies. Go Hawks. If you'd like to learn a little more about what we're working on, you can always visit wearewilkinson.com.

  6. Mar 2

    037 - From Uncle Jimmy's Couch to Real Life Lessons

    In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I take a trip back to the days of Uncle Jimmy and his famous Clubhouse, birthday shoutouts on live TV, and those little cups of orange and vanilla ice cream. I share memories of Saint Joe's Elementary, being labeled a little "hyperactive," and even a chiropractor story that still makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. We also talk about how those early experiences shaped the way I think about responsibility, ownership, and investing today, and why so many people are looking for a simpler way to be involved in real estate without all the hands-on work. It's a fun blend of nostalgia and real-life lessons. And if you're curious to learn more about what we do, feel free to check things out at wearewilkinson.com.

  7. Mar 2

    036 - End Zone Seats and Small Town Streets

    In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I reminisce about riding the Rotary bus to the Kingdome with my dad to watch the Seattle Seahawks, cheering on heroes like Jim Zorn and Steve Largent, and pretending to be them on the playground at Saint Joe's. From bike gangs inspired by CHiPs to safe neighborhoods that let kids be kids, it's all about the kind of community that shapes you. I also share how those early experiences influence what we do today at Wilkinson, creating safe, well-run apartment communities and giving people a way to invest in real estate without the landlord headaches. If you're ever curious about what we're working on, you can always find us at wearewilkinson.com.

  8. Mar 2

    035 - Splitting Burritos and Building a Future

    In this episode of Growing Up Yakima, I take a walk down memory lane, from splitting giant burritos at Santiago's on Yakima Ave to hiding in the toilet paper aisles at Market Foods, now Scarborough Fair. I share stories about growing up with my three siblings, working at a local grocery store, surviving a cheese-cutting injury at my cousin's deli, and why Yakima has always felt like home. Those memories shaped how I see community, hard work, and smart investing, which ultimately led me to what I do today with Wilkinson. I talk about why I came back to Yakima, why I believe in sensible, long-term real estate investing, and how we help people enjoy the benefits of real estate without the landlord headaches. It's a little nostalgia, a few laughs, and a reminder that sometimes the best investments, in life and money, start right at home. If you're ever curious about what we're up to at Wilkinson, you can find us at wearewilkinson.com.

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About

Besides its amazing people—Yakima, Washington has so much to offer. Growing up here just a big wheel ride from where I live now brings a flood of memories of the people, places and events that makes Yakima special. Catch us Monday mornings on Good Morning Yakima on 1280 NewsTalk KIT.

Information

  • Creator
    David McKinney
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Growing Up Yakima