Older Investor Just Starting Out (Debt vs Cash)

[Shawn Carrico-Phillips]

Hi all,

I am 57 and my husband is 60.  We both work full time, which won't change soon, although we hope to retire early if we can supplement our income enough with real estate. We are just starting out, listening to the Rookie podcast, researching areas, figuring out what strategy makes since, etc.  My big question though is: how should our ages change our debt to cash ratio when purchasing.  For instance: would it make more sense to purchase just a couple properties with more cash down and less debt due to our ages?  I am also figuring in the high mortgage rates that don't seem to be going anywhere soon.

Thank you for any insight that you may have!