New in Washington

[Maria Keating]

Wow!  So happy I've found this place. Wanting to invest in Real Estate for a long time but always thought I didn't know enough.

I bought my own home in 2006 and this townhouse almost doubled in value.  During the market crash, I new my neighborhood was full of opportunities, but as a single mother, I opted for security and never upgraded myself, nor started investing.  But I look around my neighborhood (issaquah) and seattle in general and feel I am missing out on this tremendous growth. Sure my home increased in value, but it does me no good since I live in it and likely will firever live in it :)

As I've been thinking about what to do in terms of retirement savings, I feel that real estate us a great complement to my stocks. I'm a CPA, so first I pursued (intellectually) the self directed IRA, but the more I think and read, I feel like just investing outright is a better way since I am not necessarily looking to work till I'm 62. I just got out of a job I hated and early retirement seemed really appealing, sans the necessary funds :)

At any rate, my goal as of right now is appreciation rather than current income.  In the long run, I'd like to shift to current income so I can retire earlier (10 years).  

My decisions right now are whether or not stay in my neighborhood (which I know so well and am certain the high demand for rentals as well as purchases will continue) or buy in seattle, where I think the appreciation is even faster and I can find more affordable units than in my neighborhood.  The other decision is to buy condos in downtown Seattle (again lower cost and thus possibility for several units) or sfh in the city, but not downtown. 

I'd appreciate any and all thoughts while I keep listening to the enormous number of extremely helpful podcasts.  :)