Treasure Valley Idaho - Newbie Investing

[Sarah McBride]

Hello Everyone!

I have been listening to the podcast and poking around the forums for several months while I save some money, but this is my first post and I am brand new to investing.

Right now, my husband I live in DC, but in the next few years (2-3) we are planning to move back to Boise, ID. By the end of this year we will have enough money saved to make a down payment on something. The question is what and where, and that’s what I want to ask the forum. If anyone has insight on any of the following questions, I would be thrilled to hear from you! Would also love to connect if you are in the Treasure Valley!

1. Are there any areas in Canyon, Ada or Elmore county that folks are having success renting? The prices in Boise seem prohibitively high, but maybe the surrounding areas are better?
2. What strategies are working well in this area? For example, maybe Boise doesn’t have great numbers on rentals but has good flip opportunities.
   
3. Lastly what do folks think about buying a house we want to live in eventually, renting it for a few years to offset the mortgage, and down the road once we build up some equity using that to buy rentals. Is it better to lock in housing costs in the area you want to be, or is it better to start the rental game asap even as an out of state investor newbie.
   

Thanks all!