Buying my first property

[Kayley Brumagin]

I've been listening to the BiggerPockets podcasts and I must say, I'm addicted. I  currently live in a condo in Scottsdale, AZ my parents own that are letting me rent it out from them. I've been looking for my first property/condo to purchase myself, in Scottsdale or Arcadia. I've noticed the prices are increasing rapidly and 1bds/1ba are now in the 200s and 2bd/2ba are in the 300s! I have about 15k saved up and was curious if a 1bd/1ba all renovated is a bad investment? And if 300 range is a huge price for my first condo if I chose to go with a 2 bd/2ba. 

Also, just finished real estate schooling just to be more educated in the process and haven't taken the test yet. Should I wait to finish to buy? Not looking to be a real estate agent, just want to get into rental properties & make the big $$$.