Net worth prior to first real estate investment?

[Sean S.]

Hello,

I currently do not own any real estate investments and only a small amount of my portfolio is tied up in a REIT. I am trying to learn more about real estate and have just started the process. Eventually I would like to invest in real estate probably starting with single family homes. However, my wife and I are both in the medical field and have quit a bit of debt due to school loans and mortgage therefore our net worth is currently in the toilet (although loans/mortgage at low rates). I know that typically the earlier you get started the better but my fear is that if I make a poor first investment it will set us back even further. I would be curious if you are open to share what your net worth or financial situation was when you got started? Also, I would be interested if you have any advice on what you learned prior to or during your first investment purchase that you might not have expected with your research beforehand? I appreciate any feedback. My current plan is to wait closer to a year to save and get rid of some of our debt and reevaluate.

Thanks!