If you plan to buy an investment property anyway, it makes sense, but in today's market, you'd probably have to hold it longer. I had a duplex listed near the University & several potential buyers were student's parents. The seller's son lived there through his college days as well. DebtsNMesses makes some good points about the difficulties of owning student housing. On the positive side though--near UW at least, housing is always in demand. The seller never paid for advertising in 20+ years and always wrote 12 month leases, so she rarely had vacancies. When my daughter leased in Bellingham (go WSU!), they had painted out hardwood floors (cheap to repaint between tenants) & landlord contacted all parents to "assure us" she'd call if there was ever any trouble....or if rent was ever late. Smart landlord. If my son chooses a local University, we'd seriously considering buying to avoid paying rent, but it would be a longer term hold investment.
Mom & Dad: Should I live in the dorm or will you buy me a house?
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