I will add the fact that there are things you need to keep in mind when it comes to the HOA fees, Never go with high-rise buildings because those common area fees paid by the HOA will kill you, I typically look at Garden-Style or 4 stories and below, I do have one property that's in a 7 story building but the fees were still fairly low. 

And, unlike most condos, you get to garden, collect eggs from the chickens, make messy projects in the shop downstairs.

I have  3 granddaughters finishing up or in process of getting  their BA/MA degrees, one works in a dentists office,  another is a manager at McDonalds (both of them live at home with parents)  and the 3rd works at Home Depot and moved out to rent a room closer to her school.

Go to home depot (or favorite big box store) at 6-7am and look for the guys that are not driving the $70,000 truck but the beat up one and build a relationship with them on one property.

They are close to the Ponderosa South, Qual Gardens, Florintown, Tokay Park neighborhoods. 

i find that its more expensive than home depot and lowes.

One thing I would add is get some coil cleaner (Home Depot. $6.00).

I'm curious about anyone's experience using HD or Menards to come in a do the rehab work (remodel a kitchen, all new flooring, etc)

You can build a house that looks great using Home Depot project source, lower middle grade material for $130/sq/ft. 

We were in the middle of a massive remodel, so the $3000 spend was one trip to Home Depot and the Lumber Yard.American Airlines flies to Hawaii for as low as 35,000 miles round trip.