Pay Off Student Debt or Invest While Paying it Down?

[Jeff Byrne]

Hi All! I'm about to graduate college and I live in the Louisville, KY market. Rental properties are decently priced but our area is growing with the addition of Amazon and other big time employers moving this way. My question is should I pay down my student loan debt (~$60,000) before or after I begin investing? I'd like to fly solo on some deals but am very open to partnering and learning from a seasoned real estate vet. I have a degree in accounting and a background in tax and bookkeeping so I would have no problem helping a potential partner with their bookkeeping for this property and other properties they may own.