Advice on analyzing a property in which you live for a few years

[Jeff Zenko]

If this is better-suited in another category, please let me know. I'm looking to buy first home in a growing area and plan to live in it for 2-5 years and then rent it out. How does one account for the utility and make an objective decision in this case? It would take too many years for me to be able to buy a house that needs a ton of work and save up to do said work and then go about it this way. 

Any advice/feedback greatly appreciated.