But, the thing you really want to focus on as a first-time condo investor is the strength of the HOA and whether or not they have any pending assessments or litigation which is the condo killer.

Your better bet is to get in front of entry-level starter homes in a good to great areas, and hold the asset for it's investment strength not it's Day 1 intrinsic properties.

I see how hard a lot of my colleagues work, even in their 60s, and I want to start investing soon, so I don't have to work grueling overnight shifts when my body won't have as much strength in 20-30 years like it does now.  

Go towards your strength and passion.Good luck. 

You need to be  in a position of strength financially; I would recommend starting out with closer to $120k at minimum even in LCOL places.

They each have their own strengths and weaknesses and it will depend on the deal which will be right for you. 

This marks the eighth consecutive month of annual price increases, highlighting the ongoing strength and resilience of the Charlotte and national housing markets.

By understanding the factors that contribute to its strength, investors can identify and capitalize on the opportunities within the real estate sector.

So many options depending on what the market is telling you and what your investor strengths are. 

Education Includes determing your best investment strategy, real estate strength & weaknesses, current and projected real estate market, and coming to understand what you don't know.Bigger Pockets is a great place to learn through blogs, posts and contacts here.