<prompt> Human: I am living overseas, but would like to move back to the US in the next year or so for personal reasons. I have saved up about 50k USD, but have 67k in student loans. I make decent money over here, but will likely take a big pay cut when I move back. Rent where I would like to live in the US is at least 1000month for a 1 br in a not scary area, and I have a dog so its difficult to find a place to rent. But I could possibly buy a condo for about 75k, put 20 down and be paying about 750-800month including all taxes, HOA. I would still have a chunk of money in savings, which I really want to have for peace of mind. Im wondering if I should buy the condo now while I have a good salary, and I can rent it out until I move back. Then when I get there Ill have a cheaper place to live. Im worried that once I move and am making less money it will be harder to get approved for a mortgage, even though I could afford the monthly payment on a new lower salary, and it will be cheaper than renting. Im hesitant to pay off a chunk of my loans with my savings because the interest rate is OK 4.125, and when I have a lower income I can get on the income contingent repayment and lower the monthly payment. Im not sure whether to bank on this, but the loans are set up for the public service forgiveness, and I have 6 years in to that. Theoretically if I get 4 more years of public service, the balance is supposed to be forgiven, but that is completely unstable since it depends on the US governments whims.I dont have any other debts, no balance on my credit card. My car is 10 years old but has low miles and is a Toyota so Im banking on it lasting for a long time! So hopefully no car payment in the future, or Ill have savings to buy something with cash.So should I try to buy a condo while still living overseas? Im going back for a visit soon and could look at a few places.  <response>: Long distance landlording sounds like a terrible idea. You are 67k in debt. You are in no position to be buying rental properties in other countries. 