Is a co-op technically an investment or not?

[Jackie Mcmorrow]

Hi BiggerPockets Family,

I’m trying to start my real estate investment journey through the purchase of my primary residence, with the intention of selling it in less than 5 years. I was open to condos and co-ops but after more research am stuck. 
Are co-ops even technically an investment (considering you don’t own the actual space)? Should only look at condos if I really want a taste for the investment world? (Late this year/ early next I want to start building a portfolio of out of state, long term rental properties). Can anyone share their thoughts? 

(Where I live/ work, I can only afford an apartment so don’t have the opportunity to house hack with a multi family)

Thanks in advance! 
Jackie 

[Jared W Smith]

Quote from @James Carlson:

@Jackie Mcmorrow

@Account Closed

This is interesting. No real such thing as co-ops out west here in Colorado. How do they operate differently than condos? I would have thought if you can buy a co-op, and you can later sell it, that it would be basically the same type of investment as a condo. But no?

Completely different type of investment. Yes, you can sell it when you want. But it's far less control than a condo. For one, typically the board has to approve who ever buys it and even the tenant of sublet.