While I enjoy building, I suggest getting an ARF for your 1st plane. Build your "labor of love"
once you know how to fly.

The reasons for this are:

You know the plane is built correctly (no warps, etc)

You do not have the "emotional attachment" to an ARF that you have to a "labor of love".

Trainers are going to get dinged up (and in a lot of cases crash). The emotional attachment frequently
inhibits a new pilot from learning properly because they do not want to risk "damaging" their "labor of love".

I also suggest staying away from RTF. While they are convenient, they frequently have base level radios (non
computer and 4 channel) and the engines, while adequate for a trainer, are rarely useable for most 2nd planes.

Spend a little more more money and get a computer radio (6 channel or more), preferably in 2.4 mhz (72 mhz
radios are fine also, but a lot of sites prefer you to have a 2.4 mhz to minimize/eliminate the possibility of you
accidently "shooting someone down). As for the plane/engine (assuming glow power), I suggest a 46 size plane as they
are easier to see and handle wind reasonably well. The engine should be a ball bearing engine.

The difference in cost is minimal and it save you money later by not having to purchase another radio or engine for a 2nd plane.