Payoff Credit cards before first RE Purchase?

[Travis Benham]

Hello!  

(So I am trying to exercise the ACTION items I heard on the Podcast the other day.  One of them is to ask at least one question a week.  This is easy as I'm new, so I have LOTS of questions.)

I have some money available to me that could be used for down payment on first RE purchase.  However, I also have some Credit Card debt that could be paid off.  If I use the money on Credit cards, it will pay the debt off completely, but nothing will be left.  

To get started in REI, should I pay off my debts first or take what seems like an opportunity to build my asset column? What level of financial stability should I be in for the first purchase?

Thanks for any input