First Time Home Buyer, Denver, CO

[Matt Campbell]

I am a first time home buyer looking to invest my money. I have been looking at homes for quite some time now. Any one that knows Denver, knows the market is red hot. I want to buy a home just west of Denver in the Lakewood to Littleton area for 185k or less. The plan would be to have a large enough home to live in but also rent out while in the house. My question is do you think it is even possible to find something at a solid price in the current Denver market? Since it is a first time buy and I would like to build a portfolio, would you suggest an apartment, town home , or house? The markets in the Springs look a lot more reasonable, would you suggest to look to invest down there instead? Thank you in advance for all the help/suggestions.