Paying all cash vs putting 25% down?

[David Yue]

Hi, just wanted to get some general advice from some seasoned investors. My wife and I currently both work and make pretty decent salaries, were in our 30's and are paying off our 15 year mortgage on your primary residence. We have some excess money and would like to purchase our first investment property. Since we live in NYC any single family or duplex is out of our price range. We were looking to purchase a 2 BD Condo with low HOA fees. We could have the option to pay off the unit entirely and not have to worry about paying the mortgage.. Or I can just just put the 25% and try to use the remaining fund somewhere else, however due to high price of units here in NYC most properties do not generate positive cash flow. The reason this is even an issue is because of the few variables 1. I have little to know experience in real estate investing. 2. I tend to worry easily and having negative cash flow concerns me. 3. Real estate is a portion of my investment portfolio, not the only 1. I do not really have any intention of owning 5 10 100 units like some the veterans on this site.

Any advice would be appreciated