When should I start investing in real estate?

[Ben Feder]

I am new to investing and have done some self-educating over the past few years by reading books, forums, blogs, and listening to podcasts and webinars. I still feel like I could learn a lot more: I feel like I generally know what to do but lack understanding of how to do it/not sure I remember all the steps. Should I just start diving in and learn as I go or should I wait and learn more? I would like a mentor but have yet to find one and wonder if I should start anyway because at least then I'd be doing deals. What would you do in my noob position?