The USDA Rural Development loans ARE available in Hood River and I highly recommend them. A great way to start home ownership without a huge initial investment. For a primary residence, I believe a home is a better investment than a condo or townhouse. Land is the primary driver of Real Estate value. It will increase even as the home on it eventually wears out. Condo owners do not own land other than in a community sense. Condos are harder to finance and are a niche market making resale tedious. Lastly, look behind the curtain and realize a condo is just an apartment that you buy. Don't expect to feel "homeowners pride" once you move in. I've done some looking in Hood River for a client who wants a home with a few acres. Mostly old homes needing major fixing, roofs, foundations...not much new stuff for sale. Cheaper across the river but slim pickings also. Windsurfers have made that market crazy high. Whatever you buy HAVE IT INSPECTED. The couple hundred you spend could save you tens of thousands later, or give you a way to get the selling price lowered.
Location is what it's all about. You don't want to have the nicest house in a bad area. Get that sewer checked out. Remember that you aren't going to get that dream house on your first try. Sent from my baller ass iPhone 5 FAMS!
Where is your work making you move to? Accounting isn't boring - it's about finding the right job for you. I enjoyed my life in public accounting until I realized what a toxic environment my office had. Most of the employees were motivated by fear of being chastised by a couple of the partners. I mostly had a free pass, but watching everyone else terrified wasn't so cool. That, and I ran the office and had to deal with cleaning up everyone else's messes in their work. I'm not afraid to work long hours, but I'm not sacrificing my time to work in such a crappy environment, so I left to work for my client. I now make more money, less hours, and enjoy work, and enjoy my life more. When you hate your job, it spills over into the rest of your life. So, if accounting interests you, I'd advise you to find an accounting firm that you like and fits your beliefs. As long as you can enjoy it, stay. But if you decide public accounting isn't for you after a couple of years at a firm, there will be opportunities to leave and work for clients, or similar opportunities out there. Companies are always looking for people with experience in public accounting.
Pittsburgh, Second point, I currently do not work in anything financial. I'm considering going back to school to change to that field. I forgot that accountants often work ridiculous hours. =\
Be careful with this. It isn't as great as it theoretically sounds. Currently, the banks are requiring 30% down on multi-family units and they are adding points to the interest rates. So it starts to cut into how good the investment looks. Additionally, you have multiple tenants to deal with. Also, the multi-family units tend to attract a lower income family which typically means more hassle for collecting rents, more problems with employment, etc, etc. I also personally feel that multi-family units won't appreciate as well as single family homes. So you really need to look at the full cash-flow + appreciation estimates when analyzing this type of investment.
Seriously, don't be scared by the hours. The field has long had such a high turnover rate, as people get burnt out by the hours, there are a lot of firms willing to cap hours during tax season. I worked at a place that capped the hours at 60 (for everyone except the partners and myself). For most of the rest of the year, everyone worked 40-45 hours per week, except as needed around some deadlines (the partners and I were closer to 48-54 hours/week). But man, I loved being able to cash out comp time. Especially after tax season. I'd cash out $10K (pre-taxes). I know plenty of places require you to take at least one day off per week (many firms only allow a few days off during tax season, that includes Sundays). So, do your research. There are a lot of great local firms you could work with (Perkins and Company has a great reputation). I'd say, with friends that have recently entered the field, about half have decided they love it, half did their time for 2-4 years, then went and took solid accounting jobs at cool companies. As for Pittsburgh......... no thanks!
Go job shadow and accountant for a day. Not math. Honestly I don't even use math as much as you'd think. A lot of interpretation and understanding of theory, law etc. And building personal relationships too
Well it really depends on which career path you take for accounting. An accounting degree opens a lot of doors for you, especially if you work for a public accounting firm for two years.
