Is it wise to begin investing when retirement is in the next 5ys?

[Todd Ostergaard]

Does it make sense to begin investing in real estate by going into debt when I am 5-7 years aware from retirement?  I have been investigating investing in rental real estate to diversify my investments, however I am struggling to make the move when I don't have enough free cash to pay for properties outright initially and I would prefer to not have debt going into retirement.