What’s my next step?

[Aletha Brown]

Good morning guys! I have a few questions about my next step(s) so I’m hoping I can get a little advice. I’m from Chicago and will be investing in the Chicago market. I am only interested in multi-family. I have an investor who’s willing to invest towards my first deal (down payment). What should my next step be? I have decent credit but have a couple of maxed out cards and a new personal installment loan (3 months new). Should I pay them down first before applying for a mortgage loan? There are lots of potential investment properties here in Chicago currently. Should I just dive in? I don’t have much education other than podcasts and a couple of books. What should I offer as a payback strategy to my investor? What type of mortgage loans should I look into? And just a side note, I’m unable to do house hacking. Please help. I’m ready but don’t want to go into this blind.