Student Loan debt vs Starting in REI

[Luke Wielgopolan]

I have been interested in REI for a couple years now, but haven't pulled the trigger for various reasons. One of those reasons is Student Loan Debt. I have paid ahead by over a year and have been paying for a few years now and I feel like I have hardly made a dent. I still have around $75k of Student Loan Debt to my name.

I don't have a ton of cash at this very moment because of a recent home purchase and sale for my family. But will recover soon from that. I make about $67k a year at my current job and the student loans and current mortgage are my only debts. 

My financial advisor has highly encouraged me to not do any REI right now, and to pay off the loans, apply for PSLF, etc. I was a little disappointed. I don't expect to get rich fast or anything very fast until I DO knock out these loans, but was hoping to at least get my foot in the door and maybe 1-2 "low risk" properties could cash flow my student loan payments. Would going in with a partner to start be a better idea or lower the risk? Will I get turned down for financing?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

LW