Hey, Justin! I'm in a very similar position. I have a great paying W2 and have a relatively small amount of student loan debt now. I lived with my parents for a year after graduating, moved to Chicago for a year, and will now be moving back in with my parents to begin saving again for REI. I too, have a similar credit situation as you and it's something I've been having to think about lately. Here is what I've been thinking. I've been waiting to see if there will be an extension to the moratorium. IF there is not, I'm just going to go ahead and pay off those loans before those interest rates come sneaking up on us agian. If you have the money, why not do it? You will recover in three months' time. I see your concern on whether you think this could potentially risk your chances of qualifying for a mortgage. But if there's anything I've learned so far in my REI education it's two things. 1. There are so many different ways to finance deals than conventional loans. If we want it bad enough, we'll make it happen. We just have to get creative. 2. We have to take a little risk to reach success. Look at all the successful Real Estate Investors we always hear about. Seriously, google a successful investor. Look at their background, their stories. I guarantee somewhere along the way, risk was involved in some way. No one ever achieved their dreams by playing it safe! Just my two cents!
